The group never saw a Mustang until shortly before its first combat mission.Ī high-time P-51 pilot had 30 hours in type. The 357th Fighter Group (often known as The Yoxford Boys) went to England in late 1943 having trained on P-39s. Some fighter pilots entered combat in 1942 with less than one hour in their assigned aircraft. Uncle Sam sent many of his sons to war with absolute minimums of training. The disparity of two years before had been completely reversed. And in late 1944 into 1945, nearly half the pilots in Japanese squadrons had flown fewer than 200 hours. Through much of 1944, the Luftwaffe sustained uncontrolled hemorrhaging, reaching 25 percent of aircrews and 40 planes a month. However, our enemies took massive losses. And more than Germany and Japan together 1941-45. In fact, from 1943 onward, America produced more planes than Britain and Russia combined. That number was enough not only for US Army, Navy and Marine Corps, but for allies as diverse as Britain, Australia, China and Russia. From 1941 through 1945, American industry deliveredmore than 276,000 military aircraft. The losses were huge-but so were production totals. The AAF's peak strength was reached in 1944 with 2,372,000 personnel, nearly twice the previous year's figure. Total combat casualties were pegged at 121,867. More than 41,000 were captured, half of the 5,400 held by the Japanese died in captivity, compared with one-tenth in German hands. Some 12,000 missing men were declared dead, including a number "liberated" by the Soviets but never returned. By the end of the war, over 40,000 airmen were killed in combat theatres and another 18,000 wounded. On average, 6,600 American servicemen died per month during WWII, about 220 a day. The worst B-29 mission, against Tokyo on May 25, 1945, cost 26 Superfortresses, 5.6 percent of the 464 dispatched from the Marianas. Pacific theatre losses were far less (4,530 in combat) owing to smaller forces committed. In 1942-43 it was statistically impossible for bomber crews to complete a 25-mission tour in Europe. That was a 16 percent loss rate and meant 600 empty bunks in England.
In a single 376 plane raid in August 1943, 60 B-17s were shot down. But an eye-watering 43,581 aircraft were lost overseas including 22,948 on combat missions (18,418 against the Western Axis) and 20,633 attributed to non-combat causes overseas. (However, less than one accident in four resulted in total loss of the aircraft)Īlmost 1,000 Army planes disappeared en route from the US to foreign locations. They average 1,170 aircraft accidents per month- nearly 40 a day. They were the result of 52,651 aircraft accidents (6,039 involving fatalities) in 45 months.
#Ww2 bomber crew losses plus#
Sources: Rene Francillon, Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific war Cajus Bekker, The Luftwaffe Diaries Ray Wagner, American Combat Planes Wikipedia.Īccording to the AAF Statistical Digest, in less than four years (December 1941- August 1945), the US Army Air Forces lost 14,903 pilots, aircrew and assorted personnel plus 13,873 airplanes - inside the continental United States. 1,000 B-17s carried 2.5 million gallons of high octane fuel and required 10,000 airmen to fly and fight them.ĩ.7 billion gallons of gasoline consumed, 1942-1945.Ĥ59.7 billion rounds of aircraft ammo fired overseas, 1942-1945.ħ.9 million bombs dropped overseas, 1943-1945.Ģ.3 million combat sorties, 1941-1945 (one sortie = one takeoff).Ĩ08,471 aircraft engines accepted, 1940-1945. How many is a 1,000 planes? B-17 production (12,731) wingtip to wingtip would extend 250 miles. From 1942 onward, America averaged 170 planes lost a day. 1, 1939 and ending with Japan 's surrender Sept. THE PRICE OF VICTORY (cost of an aircraft in WWII dollars)įrom Germany 's invasion of Poland Sept. WWII was the largest human effort in history. The US civilian population maintained a dedicated effort for four years, many working long hours seven days per week and often also volunteering for other work. 43,000 planes lost overseas, including 23,000 in combat.276,000 aircraft manufactured in the US.This listing of some of the aircraft facts gives a bit of insight to it. Most Americans who were not adults during WWII have no understanding of the magnitude of it.Aside from the figures on aircraft, consider this statement from the article: On average 6600 American service men died per MONTH, during WWII (about 220 a day). No matter how one looks at it, these are incredible statistics. If you live for facts and statistics, this is just for you. I have always known that aircrew had the highest fatality rate but the loss rate (and cost of war) detailed below is absolutely horrific. Absolutely amazing (American) World War 2 statistics and photos.
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