Why was the Fokker D VII A Good Plane?

Given that the oil campaign didnt happen until late summer 1944 that's a
remarkable claim.

The 15th AF hit Ploesti repeatedly in April.

The 8th AF reduced German avgas production by 50% in May -- with just three
days of raids.

Look what Galland said:

"As early as June, 1944, the month the invasion started, we felt very badly the
effects of the consolidated offensive. Fuel production suddenly sank so low
that it could no longer satisfy the urgent demands. Speer, when interrogated
by the Allies stated that from June on, it had been impossible to get enough
aviation fuel. While it was possible with the greatest effort to keep up at
least a minimum production of motor and diesel fuel, the repair work on the
plants where normal fuel was converted to octane constituted difficulties which
were impossible to overcome. The enemy soon found out how much time we needed
for reconstruction and for resuming production. Shortly before this date was
reached under tremendous strain came the next devastating raid."

-- "The First and the Last" p. 210 by Adof Galland

If not for the USAAF operating by day, it would have been impossible for the
RAF to operate by night over Germany after the invasion. Bomber Command was
defeated by the Germans in the Spring of 1944. It was only the situation
created by "American Air Policy", that allowed Bomber Command to return to "the
night blitzing of cities."

All this occured before the RAF dropped any bombs at all on Oil targets as part
of the "Oil Campaign".

Again, to return to the WSJ review of "A Long Way to Bombs Away", -- that
review didn't show what really happened. Maybe the book was as badly flawed.
I haven't seen it and don't plan to.



Walt