‘Masters of the Air’: True story behind Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission explored
LONDON, ENGLAND: ‘Masters of the Air’ unveiled the Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission, a series of strategic bombing raids conducted by the United States Army Air Forces into German territory during the Second World War.
‘Masters of the Air’, which follows the story of the 100th Bomb Group during the Second World War, has already created a buzz among the viewers.
‘Masters of the Air’ stars Austin Butler as Major Gale 'Buck' Cleven, Callum Turner as Major John 'Bucky' Egan, Barry Keoghan as Lt Curtis Biddick, Anthony Boyle as Major Harry Crosby, Nate Mann as Major Robert Rosenthal, and Kai Alexander as Sergeant William Quinn.
The series is inspired by true events, particularly the experiences of the 100th Bomb Group during the Second World War.
What was the significance of the Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission?
In ‘Masters of the Air’ Episode 3, the 100th Bomb Group is being briefed on a mission that will require them to fly deep into enemy territory in Germany.
The mission was referred to as ‘Mission Number 84’ carried out by Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers of the US Army Air Forces.
The Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission was a strategic bombing mission aimed at disrupting and damaging key industrial targets in Germany.
According to The National WWII Museum, the US Army Air Forces coordinated with the British Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Bomber Command to destroy Germany's ability to wage war by targeting important factories and infrastructure in Germany.
Was the Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission successful?
The Schweinfurt–Regensburg mission took place on August 17, 1943, involving two separate raids on the cities of Schweinfurt and Regensburg in Germany.
Under the Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission, Britishers conducted area bombardment at night, while the Americans conducted daylight precision bombing, as reported by The National WWII Museum.
Colonel Curtis LeMay, the commander of the 3rd Air Division, provided his crews with information about their target in Regensburg, a city in southeast Germany.
According to the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the raids were supposed to occur simultaneously in Regensburg and Schweinfurt, a city in the district of Lower Franconia in Bavaria, Germany.
However, fog delayed the Schweinfurt force’s takeoff, resulting in heavy losses for the US forces.
Despite causing significant damage to the German industry, more than 600 Airmen were killed, missing, or captured, as reported by the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
In ‘Masters of the Air’ Episode 3, Sergeant William Quinn (Kai Alexander) was one of hundreds of men flying towards Schweinfurt for the mission.
‘Masters of the Air’ is now streaming on Apple TV+