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World War 2 in the Air

First carpet bombing operation in WW2

20.03.1942. Luftwaffe, Mediterranean

First time Liuftwaffe gave high priority to the mass of horizontal bombers instead of precision dive bombers single strikes, as they did all the time before.

It was Malta operation, planned by the colonel Doychmann, chief of the II air corps staff.
Plan consisted of 3 steps:
1. To destroy British bombers on the ground, based on Takali homebase.
2. To attack bombers and torpedo bombers airbases in Luka, Hal Far and Kalafrana.
3. Attack docks and ports on the Valette seabase.

20 of March, 1942 was launched phase 1 - to destroy British bombers on the ground on their Takali homebase.

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