On Tue, 1 Jul 2003 09:25:09 +0800, "Dennis"
wrote:

What happened before the (extended-range) Mustang showed up? Well, the
German air force was shooting down so many B-17s and B-24s that it
looked possible that the 8th Air Force would have to give up
deep-penetration daylight raids into Germany, to the huge benefit of
Albert Speer and the German war effort.

Problem with this analysis is that the attrition of the Luftwaffe had
already got to the back side of the curve prior to the P-51's introduction.
The P-38, for example, did a lot of damage, and was capable of deep escort.

Precisely. On balance the P-51 might have been better, or more
reliable (even then it had it's share of teething problems), but the
problem was recognised and was being addressed before it showed up.

Gavin Bailey

--

"...this level of misinformation suggests some Americans may be
avoiding having an experience of cognitive dissonance."
- 'Poll shows errors in beliefs on Iraq, 9/11'
The Charlotte Observer, 20th June 2003