B-29 Superfortresses used over Europe in WW2

[Liberator]

Here some information which some may not be aware of... B-29s were flown to England in 1994 and in 1945 conducted bombing raids over France.

How interesting even i didnt know they did European WW2 ops..
http://www.network54.com/Forum/149674/m ... ny+in+1945

Phil

[dred]

Why would the USAAF have been bombing a German submarine pen in the summer of 1945?

[The Inspector]

To make the Germans believe that the B-29 was going to replace the B-17 and B-24, and that we were producing so many that we could start spreading them out around the various theatres when we really couldn't.
Given the issues using the B-29's gun sighting equipment in not being fast enough to track Mig-15's, going up against the Me-262 five years earlier could have proved interesting.

[Steve Nelson]

Except that by the summer of '45 the war in Europe was over. I'm assuming that the bombing of the sub pens was a test of some sort.

I hadn't heard about any actual Superfortress ops in the ETO, but the temporary "planting" of the YB-29 in England in 1944 specifically so it would be spotted by the Germans is well known.

SN

[JohnB]

I've seen nothing on B-29 combat in Europe....anywhere.
It didn't happen.

Some will wonder if The Hobo Queen, which made a publicized visit to the UK in March 1944, ever did a combat mission.

In all probablity, The Hobo Queen...or any B-29 in the UK in March 1944, was not combat ready.

In January 1944, General Arnaold said he wanted 175 B-29s combat ready by the first of March.
By March first, they weren't ready. Arnold told a general to do whatever was necessary to get the planes ready for deployment to China.
(Remember the B-29 was the world's first "super-bomber"...pressurized with new and complex engines and armament systems. It was vastly more complex than any other bomber).

The B-29s were already built, but they were awaiting the latest updats and modifications at USAAF-run modification ceners in Kansas, and adjecent to the Bell Marietta (Georgia) and Martin Omaha (Nebraska) B-29 plants.

There were many technical issues involving the engines, fire control system and the fuselage pressurization sealing....not to mention a lack of specialty parts and tools and mechanics not being familiar with the new aircraft. Also, severe winter weather in Kansas and Nebraska, hampered the modification process which was done outdoors. Boeing sent engineers and production personnel from Seattle to help with the work, and after six weeks, (March 10-April 15) the modification bottlenecks were overcome and the early B-29 were combat ready. Obviously, newer B-29s would have the latest updates and improvments installed on the production line.

So to recap...Any B-29 flying in March of 1944 was not ready for combat...and I doubt if the USAAF would have sent one on a mission...even a "milk run" to France, at that time.

Aviation historian Peter M. Bowers, worked for Boeing as an engineer and was the leading authority on Boeing aircraft.
In his book Boeing Aircraft since 1916, Putnam 1966, 1968, 1989, writes about China-bound B-29s being delivered via North Africa "...with one sent openly to Europe as a feint." Pg 323.

[PropsRule]

Also interesting that a YB-29 saw combat.

[SaxMan]

It would make no sense to bring a B-29 out to the ETO to specifically bomb a sub pen when there were plenty of Avro Lancasters already "in theatre" that could do the job. I think this is fictitious.

[JDK]

Also interesting that a YB-29 saw combat.

They didn't, see John B's post above. It's a misunderstanding (perhaps misinterpretation of misleading period documents) from photos of a visit by a B-29 to the UK as a propaganda exercise, which is documented.

Claims of bombing missions etc. are indeed fiction.

Regards,

[brucev]

Also interesting that a YB-29 saw combat.

They didn't, see John B's post above. It's a misunderstanding (perhaps misinterpretation of misleading period documents) from photos of a visit by a B-29 to the UK as a propaganda exercise, which is documented.

Claims of bombing missions etc. are indeed fiction.

Regards,

i think he's refering to the YB-29 seeing combat use in the CBI where it apparenty ferried fuel in the combat zone.

[JDK]

Ah, fair enough!

[Dan K]

Appears someone got their dates off, as Project Ruby didn't begin until March, 1946.

http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/ ... 01045.html

[PropsRule]

i think he's refering to the YB-29 seeing combat use in the CBI where it apparenty ferried fuel in the combat zone.[/quote]




Precisely what I meant. Apologies for any ambiguity.

To me it illustrates how desperate the situation was. At the very most, I always imagined "Y" prefixed variants flying around close to home, and never going near the front.

[the330thbg]

agreed.., this story is a mix-up of facts and fiction.

looks like it is being debated on the other forum as well.

[JohnB]

Also interesting that a YB-29 saw combat.

They didn't, see John B's post above. It's a misunderstanding (perhaps misinterpretation of misleading period documents) from photos of a visit by a B-29 to the UK as a propaganda exercise, which is documented.

Claims of bombing missions etc. are indeed fiction.

Regards,

i think he's refering to the YB-29 seeing combat use in the CBI where it apparenty ferried fuel in the combat zone.

What I was getting at was the idea that during the March 1944 visit to the Uk, the B-29 was used operationally. Which it wasn't becaus in all probability, it wasn't combat capable..the aircraft was pre-Battle of Kansas" mods and updates.

Last edited by JohnB on Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[the330thbg]

correct.., that is the impression they wanted to make upon the Germans!