Aviation in WW2 Flashcards
Second WW2 Ace
Thomas Maguire - 38 kills
Flew P-38s
World War 2 Ace
Richard Ira Bong - 40 kills
Flew P-38s
Pearl Harbor
December 7, 1941
Hawaii
When did France & Britain declare war on Germany? Why?
September 1939, because Germany invaded Poland
Minesweeper Condor
Spotted six Japanese a/c carriers
U.S.S. Ward
Sank a carrier
1st American shots of the war
Hammering Hank Elrod
1st marine, aviator to earn the Medal of Honor
Doolittle Raiders
B-25s, 80 volunteers
April 1942 - bombed Japan
Caused Battle of Midway
AVG Flying Tigers
American Volunteer Group
P-40 Curtiss, Shark teeth
Shot Japanese bombers & left
Flew for China
Pappy Boyington
In the “Black Sheep Squadron”
WW2 Ace, flew for AVG
Alcoholic
Bataan Death March
76,000 prisoners
Marched 60 miles in Philippines
Erich Hartmann
“The Black Devil”
German pilot during WW2
352 victories
Invasion of Poland
September 1, 1939
JU-87
German dive bomber
Slow, siren during dive
Maginot Line
French defense
Underground tunnels and trains
Battle of Midway
June 1942
Japanese attack island for U.S. a/c carriers
Japan retreats
Lee Archer
WW2 pilot
4 kills
Tuskegee Airman
Flew P-51 Red Tail
John Thach
“Tach Weave” - lead and wingman formation
Allowed U.S. to keep up with Japanese aircraft
Grumman Aircraft
F4F Wildcat - basic Navy airplane
F6F Hellcat - better, tricked Japanese, “zero killer”
Great Mariana’s Turkey Shoot
Battle of Philippine Sea
June 1944
Americans were no more tactical, experienced, technologically advanced than the Japanese
Kamikaze
Japanese suicide bombers
Flying the Hump
Flying cargo over Himalayas
DC-3, C-46
Lost many planes this way
Bud Anderson
WW2 Ace
Flew P-51 Mustang called “Old Crow”
Claims that a good pilot has experience and knowledge
Treats every German aircraft like the Red Baron
P-51
More guns, larger range
Supercharger - fast and maneuverable
Liquid cooled w/ radiator
Tinian
Controlled by Japan since WW1
Could now reach this Pacific island with our long range B-29s
U.S. invaded and built 7 runways, we were now closer to Japan
B-29
Flying Fortress Dropped bomb on Hiroshima Flies longer and higher than B-17s Pressurized Could maintain temperature
Black Thursday
July 1943 600 men died Daylight bombing before the P-51s Unpressurized B-17 bombers - freezing Fighter planes had to turn around and abandon the bombers
Might Eighth Air Force
U.S. Army Bomber Command: Activated January 1942.
Commanded by Jimmy Doolittle
26,000 KIA, more than the entire Marine Corps lost
Battle of Midway
June 1942, result of the Doolittle Raiders
U.S. won, destroyed all Japanese a/c carriers
U.S. had known about the plan of attack because of Japanese radio calls
Battle of Iwo Jima
U.S. wanted this Pacific island to land wounded B-29’s.
Photograph of Marines raising flag.
6,800 Americans dead. U.S. still won.
Battle of Okinawa
Civilians killing themselves.
Kamikazes for the first time.
U.S. won.
The Manhattan Project
The development on the atom bomb.
Bombs “Fat Man,” and “Little Boy” were used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Harry Truman had to make the decision.
Paul Tibbets
Dropped “Little Boy” on Hiroshima while piloting the “Enola Gay.” Departed from Tinian island.
Previously led daylight bombing raids.
Japanese city with the most bombing casualties?
City with the most bombing casualties overall?
Tokyo: 100,000 people
Dresden, Germany: 150,000 people
Incendiary bombs!
When did the U.S. bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
August 6, 1945
When was Pearl Harbor?
December 7, 1941
When did the Doolittle Raiders bomb Tokyo?
April 1942
When was the Battle of Midway?
June 1942
What was the outcome of the attack on Pearl Harbor?
Doolittle Raiders: April 1942
Battle of Midway: June 1942
Battle of Iwo Jima
Battle of Okinawa
Robin Olds
WWII Ace, Flew P-38’s
Flew in Vietnam, disguised fighter planes (Op. Bolo)
A. Scott Crossfield
WWII pilot, test pilot
First to reach Mach 2
Chuck Yager
1st to break the speed of sound
