The United States Army Air Service launched its around the world flying expedition from Seattle, Washington, although as previously noted, it could be argued the party had commenced several days prior by flying to Seattle.
Saturday, April 6, 2024
Sunday, April 6, 1924. The launch of the around the world flight.
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Friday, March 22, 2024
Lex Anteinternet: Wednesday, March 22, 1944. Vesuvius destroys the 340th Bombardment Group and the XP56.
80% of the B-25s of the 340th Bombardment Group were destroyed by volcanic boulders from Vesuvius.
The only example of the Northrup XP-56, the first one having been destroyed in a crash, was photographed in anticipation of its first flight the following day.
Northrop XP-56 Black Bullet (s/n 42-38353) on the ground at Muroc Army Air Field, California, March 22, 1944.
The weird aircraft was not a success.
Last prior edition:
Tuesday, March 21, 1944. Dear John.
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Friday, March 19, 1909. Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company forms.
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Lex Anteinternet: Monday, March 6, 1944. "Black Monday"
Monday, March 6, 1944. "Black Monday"
The first large scale daylight bombing raid on Berlin occured. The raid, remembered as Black Monday, involved 814 bombers and 944 fighters from bases in southern England. 69 bombers were lost.
P-51 pilot Donald Blakeslee would fly the first such aircraft over the city. An early American fighter pilot, he first joined the RCAF in 1941, he served in the USAF until 1965 and passed away in 2008 at age 80.
For those watching Masters of the Air, it is depicted in Episode 7.
Friday, March 1, 2024
Saturday, February 24, 2024
Lex Anteinternet: Sunday, February 24, 1974. Advent of Fireforce,
Sunday, February 24, 1974. Advent of Fireforce, getting mad at Confucious.
The Fireforce vertical envelopment tactic was used by the 1st Battalion of the Rhodesian Light Infantry in the first example of its use. The tactic was developed as Rhodesian Aérospatiale Alouette III had a limited carrying capacity in comparison to the very large helicopters used by the US in similar roles.
Lex Anteinternet: Thursday, February 24, 1944. Big Week Climax.
Thursday, February 24, 1944. Big Week Climax.
The Gothaer Waggonfabrik (Gotha) aircraft plant was hit as part of the Big Week.
The plant had been targeted for February 22, but bad weather had prevented the raid from occurring. On this day, 239 B-24s raided the plant.
Typical for such things, the US Army Air Force regarded the raid as a huge success. In reality, however, the lead bombardier, who controlled the run ins via the Norden Bomb site, suffered from anoxia due to a faulty oxygen mask and mistook Eisenach as the primary target. Forty-three bombers accordingly followed his error. Thirty-four B-24s were shot down, twenty-nine were damaged. Three aircrewmen were killed, six wounded and 324 went missing. 169 bombers did get through, and the plant was heavily damaged.
The Messerschmidt plants at Regensburg and Augsburg were hit and heavily damaged as well. Production was disrupted, but as Albert Speer noted, the damage was to the frame plant which was quickly put back into production. Had the engine plant been hit, results would have been different.
It was the climax of The Big Week.
The U-761 was sunk by tow U.S. Navy PBY's assisted by two Royal Navy destroyers.