The greatest air force ever in a single battle? - Historum

Thessalonian · October 26th, 2011, 05:51 AM

Does anyone have any idea what's the record number of military aircrafts that took part in a single battle?

**Brisieis** · October 26th, 2011, 05:55 AM

There was a few hundred that took part in the Battle of Berlin, not just for Berlin alone, I think the air crafts were used for more German cities....

Thessalonian · October 26th, 2011, 05:56 AM

I was thinking about some of the Battles of Britain.

**Brisieis** · October 26th, 2011, 05:59 AM

I have a book here about WWII I will have a peak to see what it says.

**Brisieis** · October 26th, 2011, 06:05 AM

376 air crafts were dispatched on twin raids against war plants at Schweinfurt and Regensburg, 60 were lost and many more written off, some were damaged from the planes flying higher up in the formation.

**Belgarion** · October 26th, 2011, 06:16 AM

The first 'Thousand Bomber' raid on Cologne 0n 30 May 1942 was carried out by 1047 aircraft. I think the later raids were smaller, not quite reaching the 1000 aircraft mark.

**Lawnmowerman** · October 26th, 2011, 06:41 AM

The 1000 bomber raids would have to be the greatest

**diddyriddick** · October 26th, 2011, 07:02 AM

Battle of the Philippine Sea had roughly 1,500 aircraft from both sides.

Battle_of_the_Philippine_Sea

**Earl_of_Rochester** · October 26th, 2011, 07:04 AM

There were quite a few battles on the Eastern Front but they get less coverage, apparently the first day of invasion was on par with Eagle Day BoB according to Beevor.

Thessalonian · October 26th, 2011, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawnmowerman

The 1000 bomber raids would have to be the greatest

The Battle of the Philippine Sea seems like it involved 500 aircrafts more!