Wwii Attack Bombers, Bomber planes carried out missions that could change the fate of battles — from bombing enemy factories to striking far-away cities. merging instructions Process started March 2025. A photograph taken by IJA reporters on 16 June 1940 and published in the Asahi Shimbun showing bombs from IJAAF Type 97/Ki-21 (九七式重爆撃機) heavy bombers exploding on Yuzhong Peninsula In the first two days of the Operation 100 (100 号作战) bombing campaign, 54 and 27 Japanese bombers raided Chongqing on 3 and 4 May 1939 respectively, dropping approximately a 3:2 ratio of Type 98/ The combat box was a tactical formation used by heavy (strategic) bombers of the U. The Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, brought the United States officially into World War II. Conceived in January 1942 in the wake of the devastating Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, the “joint Army-Navy bombing project” was to bomb Japanese industrial centers, to inflict both “material and psychological” damage upon the enemy. World War II was the largest and most destructive conflict in history. Toward the end of the Battle of During WWII, fighter and bomber aircraft were crucial to the success of any one side in the conflict. A dive bomber is a tactical bomber aircraft that attacks its target by performing fast dives in order to provide greater accuracy for the aerial bomb it drops. Fu-Go balloon bomb Fu-Go (ふ号 [兵器], fugō [heiki]; lit. Thank you! Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you! Bombing of Tokyo Tokyo was bombed by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in a series of air raids on Japan, primarily launched during the closing campaigns of the Pacific Theatre of World War II in 1944–1945, prior to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. A prelude to the 1943 raids came from De Havilland Mosquitos, which hit the capital on 30 January 1943, the tenth anniversary of the Nazis' Machtergreifung. The Boeing B-29 Superfortress is the only aircraft in history to deploy a weapon of mass destruction in actual combat. [4] The name is a shortened form of Blitzkrieg, a term used in the popular press to describe a German style of surprise attack used during the war. I armored, all-metal biplane, the Il-2's armor was designed as a load-bearing part of the Ilyushin's monocoque structure, thus saving considerable weight. The opening of a new Strategic bombing is a systematically organized and executed military attack from the air which can utilize strategic bombers, long- or medium-range missiles, or nuclear-armed fighter-bomber aircraft to attack targets deemed vital to the enemy's war-making capability. The list of aircraft of World War II includes all of the aircraft used by countries which were at war during World War II from the period between when the country joined the war and the time the country withdrew from it, or when the war ended. "Code 'Fu' [Weapon]") was an incendiary balloon weapon (風船爆弾, fūsen bakudan; lit. The dive brakes are extended and are visible behind the wings. Roosevelt through his Executive Order 9066. The Siege of Malta (or Battle of Malta) [10] in World War II was a military campaign in the Mediterranean theatre. Aircraft developed but not used operationally in the war are in the prototypes section at the bottom of the page. RAF Bomber Command RAF Bomber Command controlled the Royal Air Force 's bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. On 1 March 1935, the Luftwaffe was formally announced, with Walther Wever as Chief of Staff. " Oct 29, 2009 · World War II, the largest and deadliest conflict in human history, involved more than 50 nations and was fought on land, sea and air in nearly every part of the world. Learn about key WWII dates in this timeline of events, including when WW2 started and ended. From 1942-on, production of the Avenger (in fact nearly three quarters of its the total production) was The Luftwaffe gradually decreased daylight operations in favour of night attacks to evade attacks by the RAF, and the Blitz became a night bombing campaign after October 1940. The combat box was also referred to as a "staggered formation". A fighter-bomber is a fighter aircraft that has been modified, or used primarily, as a light bomber or attack aircraft. Large multi-engine bombers operated in formations (sometimes numbering 1,000 or more) that were intended not to evade enemy defenses but to beat them back or overwhelm them. Strategic bombing as a military strategy is distinct both from close air support of ground forces and from tactical air power. An Australian World War II propaganda poster produced in 1943 emphasising the threats posed by Japanese forces Attacks on continental Australia during World War II were relatively rare due to Australia 's geographic position. Development was protracted due to the original powerplant intended for the type, the Uniquely for a World War II attack aircraft, and similarly to the forward fuselage design of the World War I-era Imperial German Junkers J. Oct 29, 2009 · Japanese internment camps were established during World War II by President Franklin D. World War II was fought from 1939 to 1945. Many of these would not have been viable targets for conventional bombers of World War II, operating from bases in Europe. The aircraft was instrumental to allied forces’ victories in almost every battle, campaign, and operation in all theaters of conflict during World War II. [1] Potential targets Included in the plan was a list of 21 targets of military importance in North America. It differs from bomber and attack aircraft primarily in its origins, as a fighter that has been adapted into other roles, [1] whereas bombers and attack aircraft are developed specifically for bombing and attack roles. [1] The remains of German town of Wesel after intensive Allied area bombing in 1945 near the end of World War II (a destruction percentage of 97% of all buildings). Between November 1943 and March 1944, Bomber Command made 16 massed attacks on Berlin. With the invention of the airplane, many powerful armies around the world started adding airplanes to their arsenal including fighters, bombers, etc. A contemporary U. They serve in both strategic and tactical bombing roles. [5][6] In the first month of the war, Germany formed the Brieftauben Abteilung Ostende ("Ostend Carrier Pigeon Detachment"), a cover name for an elite air unit, commanded by Major Wilhelm Siegert, to be used for the bombing of the Channel Ports, when new long-range The Allied strategic bombing of Germany during World War II (1939-45) involved British and U. The Fairey Barracuda was a British carrier-borne torpedo and dive bomber designed by Fairey Aviation. Allied reporting names such as "Val" and "Kate" are included for IJN aircraft. Learn more about World War II combatants, battles and generals, and what c May 5, 2021 · With Adolf Hitler leading a German invasion of Poland in 1939, World War II was launched, a deadly global conflict waged across Europe and the Pacific until 1945. The Barracuda was developed as a replacement for the Fairey Albacore biplanes. Two servicemen sit on the wreckage of a bomber, surrounded by dirt and sandbags, on Hickam Field after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii. All the powers would field planes whose names would become synonymous with this conflict. [1] The Blitz (September 7, 1940–May 11, 1941), bombing campaign undertaken by Nazi Germany against Britain during World War II. Initially the raids formed part of the final stages of the Battle of Britain, and mainly targeted London. List of aircraft of the United Kingdom in World War II Here is a list of aircraft used by the British Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm (FAA), Army Air Corps (AAC) and British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) [1] during the Second World War. From the demoralizing banshee wails of diving Stukas in the early days of the blitzkrieg to the heavy roar of thousands of engines above mingling with the ground shaking explosions of falling bombs during day Boeing B-29 Superfortress. Along with the United States Army Air Forces, it played the central role in the strategic bombing of Germany in World War II. The Curtiss SB2C was among the purpose-built dive bombers in WWII developed to deliver bombs with greater accuracy against specific targets. During World War II, the pronunciation kamikaze was used only informally in the Japanese press in relation to suicide attacks, but after the war, this usage gained acceptance worldwide and was re-imported into Japan. Sep 9, 2025 · When Brazil entered World War II—the only South American nation and one of just two Latin American countries to take up arms—it reshaped the balance of power in the South Atlantic. The Blitz (English: 'lightning') was a bombing campaign by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy against the United Kingdom during the Second World War. Originating in the early 1930s, the Swordfish, nicknamed "Stringbag", was principally operated by the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy. Japanese aircraft bombed towns Martin B-26 Marauder Army Air Forces recruiting poster featuring B-26 Marauders The Martin B-26 Marauder is an American twin-engined medium bomber that saw extensive service during World War II. North American B-25 Mitchell. Jul 8, 2025 · In September 1939, both Great Britain and France would declare war on Germany, marking the official start of World War II. [11] Heavy bombers have, nevertheless, been used to deliver conventional weapons in several regional conflicts since World War II (for example, B-52s in the Vietnam War). Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Attack aircraft A USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft in flight An attack aircraft, strike aircraft, or attack bomber is a tactical military aircraft that has a primary role of carrying out airstrikes with greater precision than bombers, and is prepared to encounter strong low-level air defenses while pressing the attack. Some The table below lists the principal carrier-launched fighters and bombers used during World War II. The B-26 was built at two locations: Baltimore, Maryland, and Omaha, Nebraska, by the Glenn L. and Great Britain, the leading Allied powers, planned to invade Italy. Bombing of Dresden Coordinates: 51°03′00″N 13°44′24″E Checked Dresden viewed from the Rathaus (city hall) in 1945, showing destruction The bombing of Dresden was a joint British and American aerial bombing attack on the city of Dresden, the capital of the German state of Saxony, during World War II. The offensive came to be called the Blitz after the German word ‘blitzkrieg,’ meaning ‘lightning war. Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is an American four-engined heavy bomber aircraft that was developed in the 1930s for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). ’. The Fairey Swordfish is a retired biplane torpedo bomber, designed by the Fairey Aviation Company. Fighter-bomber attacks on the United Kingdom during World War II were conducted by the German Luftwaffe during the Second World War. The Douglas A-20 Havoc (company designation DB-7) is an American light bomber, attack aircraft, night intruder, night fighter, and reconnaissance aircraft of World War II. [13] When the first signs of a possible Japanese attack on the Aleutians were known, the Eleventh Air Force was ordered to send out reconnaissance aircraft to locate the Japanese fleet reported heading toward Dutch Harbor and attack it with bombers, concentrating on sinking Hosogaya's two aircraft carriers. Planners hoped that the former would include the destruction of specific targets “with ensuing confusion and retardation of production The Bombing of Fort Stevens and the Lookout Air Raids The only attack on a mainland American military site during World War II occurred on June 21, 1942, on the Oregon coastline. 6 million annually) and over four times as much as the B-52H (US$6. The Jagdwaffe (German fighter force) carried out these operations. The Allied bombing of Hamburg during World War II included numerous attacks on civilians and civic infrastructure. [21] A 1933–34 war game indicated a need for fighters and anti-aircraft protection as well as bombers. In 1996, the GAO disclosed that the USAF's B-2 bombers "will be, by far, the costliest bombers to operate on a per aircraft basis", costing over three times as much as the B-1B (US$9. Douglas SBD Dauntless/A-24 Banshee. S. Over 600,000 civilians The Pacific War, sometimes called the Asia–Pacific War or the Pacific Theater, [37] was the theater of World War II fought between Japan and the Allies in East and Southeast Asia, the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and Oceania. List of aircraft of the French Air Force during World War II Aircraft of the French Air Force and Naval Aviation during the Phoney War and the Battle of France, and aircraft of the Free French Air Force (FAFL). Even $1 a month will go a long way. 8 million annually). Curtiss SB2C Helldiver/A-25 Shrike. The aerial bombing of cities is an optional element of strategic bombing, which became widespread in warfare during World War I. Dive bomber A Douglas SBD Dauntless drops its bomb. Launched on 18 April 1942, it was the first American air operation to strike the Japanese archipelago. However, Axis surface raiders and submarines periodically attacked shipping in the Australian coastal waters from late 1940 to early 1945. It lasted for eight months, from 7 September, 1940 to 11 May, 1941. Strategic bombing during World War II, the mass bombing of military targets and population centers during the Second World War. The list is not complete and includes obsolete aircraft used for training as well as prototype and pre-production aircraft. "balloon bomb") deployed by Japan against the United States during World War II. A fast and high-flying bomber used primarily in the European Theater of Operations, the B-17 dropped more bombs than any other aircraft during World War II. They are listed within each aircraft type in chronological order of their introduction to service. Aug 22, 2017 · Enemy bombers and ground attack aircraft overhead were among the most unwelcome sights for soldiers and civilians alike during WWII. Prototypes for aircraft that entered Daily updates of everything that you need know about what is going on in the military community and abroad including military gear and equipment, breaking news, international news and more. Oct 29, 2009 · Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939 led to the outbreak of World War II, and by 1941, Nazi forces had used “blitzkrieg” military tactics to occupy much of Europe. An improved version known as the AB-2 (Attack bomber, 2nd type) and later as the V-12, was tested in 1938 and provided the basis for further sales to China, bringing the total V-11 models and derivatives, including those built under license, to an estimated 225. For eight months planes of the Luftwaffe dropped bombs on London and other strategic cities. Its defensive purpose was in massing the firepower of the bombers' guns, while offensively it concentrated the release of bombs on a target. Army Air Forces during World War II. Arguably one of the most significant bombers of WWII, the Douglas SBD Dauntless was the mainstay of the United States Navy carrier-based bombing operations between 1940 and 1944. It was the first aircraft of this type operated by the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) of the Royal Navy to be fabricated entirely from metal. Among the many aircraft built in that time, a handful proved especially effective, used by major countries and flown in many theaters of war. This proposed a fleet of heavy bombers to deter a preventive attack by France and Poland before Germany could fully rearm. As a large city and industrial centre, Hamburg 's shipyards, U-boat pens, and the Hamburg-Harburg area oil refineries were attacked throughout the war. Doolittle Raid The Doolittle Raid (also known as Doolittle's Raid or the Tokyo Raid) was an air raid by the United States on the Japanese capital of Tokyo and other places in Honshu during World War II. This is a list of aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. James Doolittle will send Mustang fighters to defend bomber groups by going on the offense. bomber planes attacking industrial cities, factories, railways, airfields, and dams. [33] These actions included the attack on Pearl Harbor — 18 Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers of her air group arrived over the harbor during the attack; seven were shot down with eight airmen killed and two wounded, making her the only American aircraft carrier with men at Pearl Harbor during the attack and the first to sustain casualties during List of aircraft of Japan during World War II This article is currently slated for . Feb 17, 2025 · World War II is when the bomber came of age, and such aircraft could impact the course of war. Japan, sensing conflict was inevitable, began planning for an attack on Pearl Harbor by April, 1941. Designed to meet an Army Air Corps requirement for a bomber, it was ordered by France for its air force before the USAAC decided the aircraft would also meet its requirements. The B-25 Michell is one of the most popular medium bombers of WWII, produced by the North Aviation Company. Air Force strategic bomber, the Rockwell B-1B Lancer A strategic bomber is a medium-to-long-range bomber aircraft designed to drop large amounts of air-to-ground weaponry onto a distant target for the purposes of debilitating the enemy's capacity to wage war. Also, it is the only aircraft to drop nuclear bombs in a war. Ten more died in a night attack on Antwerp on 25 August and 2 September. With reliable models and new innovations, the U. In the surprise attack, Japan sunk several ships, destroyed hundreds of planes and ended thousands of lives. Aug 11, 2020 · How Did World War II End? Explore five defining events that led to the conclusion of World War II on September 2, 1945. [32] During World War II, many military strategists of air power believed that air forces could win major victories by attacking industrial and political infrastructure, rather than purely military targets. Navy left a proud legacy on the seas and in the skies. Dec 9, 2025 · During World War II, air power reshaped how wars were fought. The Luftwaffe attacked the main Atlantic seaport of Liverpool in the Liverpool Blitz. From June 1940 to November 1942, the fight for the control of the strategically important island of the British Crown Colony of Malta pitted the air and naval forces of the Kingdom of Italy and Nazi Germany against the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Royal Navy. Nov 18, 2009 · In the final push to defeat the Axis powers of Italy and Germany during World War II (1939-45), the U. Martin Company. Heavy bombers are now operated only by the air forces of the United States, Russia and China. The Mustangs fly ahead of bombers to attack the Luftwaffe, as well as hit them on the ground. Oct 14, 2009 · Called “the greatest American battle of the war” by Winston Churchill, the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes region of Belgium was Adolf Hitler’s last major offensive in World War II Strategic bombing, approach to aerial bombardment designed to destroy a country’s ability to wage war by demoralizing civilians and targeting features of an enemy’s infrastructure—such as factories, railways, and refineries—that are essential for the production and supply of war materials. Unlike tactical bombers, penetrators, fighter-bombers, and attack aircraft, which are used in air interdiction The Grumman TBF Avenger (designated TBM[1] for aircraft manufactured by General Motors) is an American World War II -era torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps and also eventually used by several air and naval aviation services around the world. iemhb5, sj3rw, ujea, 1geupw, vle2, gvcm4n, lhle, ugqub, yzbz, huif1u,