19 of february USSTAF meteorology division has made good stable weather forecast for the long period and 20 of February general Spaatz gave an order of three words: “Let’em go!”

It was the start of the “Big week” - USAF heavy bombing operation against German aviation industry. The main point - to stop at all or at least to lower down dramatically new German fighters production, so by the D-day allied forces could gain air superiority. Without it any landing operation would be impossible.

20th of February morning 700 RAF four-engined bombers has returned from the night raid on the Leipzig. They’ve lost 78 bombers. Still, at the morning 1000 bombers were warming up: 16 wings of “flying fortresses” and “liberators”. In addition it were 17 groups of USAF fighters: “lightnings”, “thunderbolts” and “mustangs”. Plus 16 squadrons of “spitfires” and “mustangs” of RAF. Totally it were 941 heavy bombers and more then 700 fighters to cross the Channel, which were the largest bombing operation in history.

Objects under strike that day were: “ATG” and “Erla” (Leipzig), “Haiterblik&Mekau” and “Lutter-Miag” (Brunswick), “Junkers” (Bernburg, Halberstadt and Aschersleben) and many others. One special division had separate mission to reach Tutow, Mecklenburg and even Poznan.

This time (unlike 11th of January case) fighters cover has worked out well and “big week” has started very good. Fighters has covered bombers and losses were only 21 aircraft, though USAF expected much more.

Next night RAF were bombing Stuttgart, another center of aviation industry. Were used 600 bombers. From the morning 21st USAF again was bombing two “Lutter-Miag” plants, plus stocks and Luftwaffe airfields.

22nd bombings became even much harder - it was able to involve 15th air army of general Twining. While his bombers were attacking “Messerschmitt” in Regensburg from the south, 8s air army of the general Dolittle were bombing central Germany as well as Gotha and Schweinfurt. But that day fog over England was so hard 2nd and 3rd division had to cancel operation and return home. So only 1st division came to Germany and they were attacked very hardly by the JG 1 and JG 11 from Westphalia, guided from the ground (command bunker in Deelen, Netherlands) by the 4rd figthers division commander colonel Grabman.

According the plan bombers division supposed to meet main fighters escort over the target, as usually, beacuse exactly over target German fighters were attacking before. But this time German fighters has met bombers far to the West from the target, where bombers were dispatched because of bad weather. As a result USAF has lost 41 bombers. From the initial 430 the most were returned to base, so only 99 has reached the targets. Seriously damaged were only Ju-88 night fighters plants in Berlin and Aschersleben. Others has stayed in safety. As for Gotha and Schweinfurt - bombers divisions to attack these targets were returned home, so fighters of 7th air division under the command of general-major Gut were free to attack USAF 15th air army strike. Though “Messerschmitt” plants in Regensburg still were attacked, 14 more bombers didn’t return home.

So success of “big week” and “Argument” operation was still unclear.

23rd of February weather conditions were very bad, so USAF pilots had a day-off to rest.

On the 24th over 600 bombers from England and Italy has headed to the Germany. From the south 18 “flying fortresses” attacked “Daimler-Benz” aviation engines plants at Styria, eatern Austria. General-major Gut has sent against both Geschwaders - JG3 from Franken and JG27 from Austria. Me-110 has shot down 10 fortresses out of 17 total bombers (which was 20% of everything they had) lost by 15th air army that day.

At the same time 477 bombers of 8th air army were heading to the Gotha and Schweinfurt. Though they’ve lost 44 bombers, they striked hardly Gothaer waggonfabrik (Me-110 production) and ball bearings plant.

That night 700 RAF bombers has hitted hardly the same targets - Schweinfurt was on fire so it was hard to miss it.

24 hours later more then 800 of RAF and USAF has striked Messerschmitt plants in Regensburg and Augsburg. “Mustangs” were fighting with fighters from Central and North Germany, while bombers were following their mission. USAF has lost 31 of 738 bombers from total quite big number of 64 lost fortresses and liberators.

Due to excellent visibility the strike was very successful, were bombed plants in Regensburg-Prufening and Obertraubling, in Augsburg, Stuttgart and Furt. All the Messerschmitt plants to produce Me-109 were destroyed.

Night RAF bombers flight to the Augsburg has finished the “big week”.

Source: Cajus Bekker “The Luftwaffe War Diaries”