Piercing the Fog - Air Force Historical Studies Office

The Combined Bomber Offensive began in spring 1943. By August this Eighth Air
Force briefing chart shows the Lujmafle pulling back fighter units from the hard-pressed
Russian and Italian fronts to defend the Fatherland. From an airman’s standpoint, the
first target set was the enemy’s air power. Airfields were bombed-Avord, France
(center lef), a fighter-bomber base (lower lef), and the airfield at Otopeni, Italy. So
effective were these raids that this photo in May 1945 (above) shows a collection of
wrecked German aircraft stretching almost to the horizon. The other prong of the attack
on the Lfmaffe centered on aircraft production. Below, the aircraft engine factory at
Strasbourg was flattened. The Fieseler plant near Kassel produced parts for FW 190s
until it was destroyed. The huge Fallersleben Works (bottom lef) made wings for Ju 88s
until it was damaged. And there were scores of bomb hits on the Focke Wulf assembly
plant at Hanover.
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