Too close for comfort? A greater appreciation for an Allied WW2 Victory

[Main_Brain]

http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/arm/arm29.htm

The 'Ruhrstahl' AAM wireguided as most were at that Time.

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by Frogger
The Allies spent 2 billion$

I thought it was closer to $20 billion. Probably just a conversion difference to todays money value.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by PLATO1003
Boris, I refer you to the following article from The U.S. Army's professional journal Military Review . This article was written by Dennis Giangreco, the editor, in 1998:

Thanks for the links, but until I could actually read the book in question, I won't take a review of it as gospel (I'd rather see quotes from the actual source). The author of the book had his own agenda for it (which is fine, most authors do), and the author of the article has his own as well. I'd like to see a compelling reason as to why the Survey would have approached the situation with such a foredrawn conclusion, which doesn't make sense to me.

But I'd also cite the numerous military and intelligence experts, including figures like Eisenhoweer and Adm. Leahy, who expressed the same opinion over the bombing. Other research outside of the survey has also supported its basic claim.

That's not to second-guess Truman's motives, necessarily. Maybe he really believed it was the only option--I don't know. But if it was actually necessary is the question about which I have grave doubts.

Anyway, I'd relinquish this threadjack for the other discussion.

Sava, the History Channel is a great resource for armchair buffs, but don't take it as gospel. They are, after all, a commercial enterprise. I can think of a couple of instances where their programs reported things that were actually wrong.

[PLATO]

but until I could actually read the book in question, I won't take a review of it as gospel

Always a wise choice. Buying tonight myself. I am also interested inwhy they would have published a conclusion before the facts were in.

Anyway, I'd relinquish this threadjack for the other discussion

Agreed.

Sava, the History Channel is a great resource for armchair buffs, but don't take it as gospel. They are, after all, a commercial enterprise.

I have always thought of the History Channel as a teaser. Something to wet your appetite for a more in depth analysis. Definately not the gospel.

[Ned]

Why was it that the US and the UK could produce large numbers of good pilots while the Germans and the Japanese could not.

I have often heard this as a decisive factor in both Theaters. They were not short of good planes. They were short of good pilots.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Ned
Why was it that the US and the UK could produce large numbers of good pilots while the Germans and the Japanese could not.

I have often heard this as a decisive factor in both Theaters. They were not short of good planes. They were short of good pilots.

I recall reading that Hitler wasted most of Germany's best pilots in the Battle of Britain. After the loss of so many, there just weren't enough aces around to train the new pilots.

Still, Germany had some magnificent flyers, including the greatest ace of all time, Erich Hartmann.

[PLATO]

In the Pacific theater the Japanese lost the better part of their experienced pilots in rapid succession at Coral Sea and more particularly Midway. After these losses, they were unable to balance experienced trainers with combat operations as they were now on the defensive. Manpower in itself was not the grave issue, it was qualified and trained manpower that was their undoing. Also, during this time, Allied pilots were becoming more experienced and had not only closed the gap in fighter tech but surpassed the Japenese equipment. This double edged sword made it impossible to rebuild a cadre of talented and experienced pilots for the Japanese.

[Main_Brain]

And at the Battle of Britain well British Pilots were usually rescued..
German Pilots.. well the Channel..
Yet I refrain from sayingone side had better Pilots.

[Dauphin]

Many pilots in the BoB were from Nazi occupied territories and commonwealth nations.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/bob1940/roll.html

[Sava]

Yeah guys, don't think I rely on the History Channel for my knowledge... they just sometimes have thought-provoking programs that contain little-known info. And this thread was more about what-if-fiction than actual fact.

[Ozz]

Originally posted by Sava
Yeah guys, don't think I rely on the History Channel for my knowledge... they just sometimes have thought-provoking programs that contain little-known info. And this thread was more about what-if-fiction than actual fact.

I like the real film footage and the WW2 movies (which
almost have nothing to do with reality) I get my facts from books.

I liked the Audey Murphy movie they put on lately

[Ned]

Originally posted by Main_Brain
And at the Battle of Britain well British Pilots were usually rescued..
German Pilots.. well the Channel..
Yet I refrain from sayingone side had better Pilots.

Yeah, but after 1941 the shoe was on the other foot, wasn't it. Americans and British pilots were shot down over German occuppied territory and were captured in large numbers.

Still the US and the UK continue to produce more good pilots.

The Germans seem to significantly underinvest in pilot training.

Ditto the Japanese.

[molly bloom]

One of Nazi Germany's more intriguing air aces:

http://www.newsoftheodd.com/article1011.html

My partner (who is a glider pilot) has a love/hate attitude towards her- despises the politics, but recognises the commitment and courage. Flying experimental rocket aircraft with fuel sloshing around the cockpit....

[Main_Brain]

Still the US and the UK continue to produce more good pilots.

Personally I think the Fact that the Training Fields in Germany were quite dangerous played into this. I mean Gigantic US Bomber fleets.. doesnt sound like a fun place to learn Flying.
Also dont forget that the Us is *slightly* bigger ;=)

[Hueij]

Originally posted by molly bloom
One of Nazi Germany's more intriguing air aces:

http://www.newsoftheodd.com/article1011.html

My partner (who is a glider pilot) has a love/hate attitude towards her- despises the politics, but recognises the commitment and courage. Flying experimental rocket aircraft with fuel sloshing around the cockpit....

Ah, Hannah Reitsch... The Lenie Riefenstahl of aviation...

IF Germany had build more Me 262's, and IF they had been used as fighters instead of fighter-bombers, then MAYBE... Good thing it didn't happen...