Focke-Wulf 190s attacking a formation of B-17G Flying Fortresses.

German fighter pilots quickly learned to exploit a weakness in the earlier model B-17F.

As it had little frontal protection, the Germans would attack a formation from the front, inverted (upside down), so that after their pass they could swiftly dive down and away from the Fortresses’ machine guns.

This led to the development of the B-17G with two machine guns in a chin turret, which made such frontal attacks more dangerous for the Luftwaffe fighters. Despite this innovation, it was only with the arrival of the P-51 Mustang long range fighter escort, that the Allies were able to turn the tide against Nazi Germany.


© 2020





As an addendum, I picked up this meme from Facebook, not long after writing the above, and found it appropriate/applicable:




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06/29/2020

Posted on 06/29/2020
Copyright © 2025 Chris Sorrenti