Us Official Photographs
8th AF over Germany
1945-02-22
The U.S. 8th AF joined the other Allied Air Forces in a simultaneous attack of vast proportions on Feb. 22, 1945. Targets were communications lines at key points throughout Germany. Heavy bombers flew lower than usual to increase accuracy and confuse the enemy's defenses. This picture shows Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses of the U.S. 8th AF heading for Germany's main rail line and junctions of supply and reinforcement routes of the German armies. More than 1,400 Boeing B-17 Fortresses and Consolidated B-24 Liberators of the 8th AF, escorted by 800 Republic P-47 Thunderbolts and North American P-51 Mustangs, attacked similar targets in Central Germany.
