How many missions did bomber crews have to fly in ww2?

How many missions did bomber crews have to fly in ww2?

Although crew members were required to fly a minimum of 25 combat missions before returning to the United States, some were called back to duty for another 25. However, others stayed behind to complete 30 missions to avoid having to return from the states for a second tour of duty.

How many bomber crews were killed in ww2?

Bomber Command aircrews suffered a high casualty rate: of a total of 125,000 aircrew, 57,205 were killed (a 46 percent death rate), a further 8,403 were wounded in action and 9,838 became prisoners of war. Therefore, a total of 75,446 airmen (60 percent of operational airmen) were killed, wounded or taken prisoner.

How many crew members were in a ww2 bomber?

seven
A Lancaster Bomber had a crew of seven: pilot, navigator, bomb aimer, flight engineer, wireless operator, mid gunner and rear gunner. Each role needed a very particular set of skills.

What was the survival rate for WW2 bomber crew?

The most dangerous were the first and last five trips. During the whole war, 51% of aircrew were killed on operations, 12% were killed or wounded in non-operational accidents and 13% became prisoners of war or evaders. Only 24% survived the war unscathed.

Did bomber crews have parachutes?

Generally speaking, parachutes were mandatory for all bomber crewman during a bombing mission. Parachutes were considered property of the USAAF, and individual crewman had to check out and check in their parachutes after each mission.

Who led Bomber Command?

Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris
RAF Bomber Command

When was the Bomber Command clasp issued?

In 2013, the Ministry of Defence issued a clasp to Bomber Command veterans, which was designed to attach to the 1939 to 1945 Star for which those veterans had previously qualified.