Best WWII Air-Force

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

What aircraft did the Russians have that were better than the Luftwaffe, RAF, and USAAF? Can you please inform me of this because I can think of any really...

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I dont expect a truthful answer backed by facts, by the way...

[MacArther]

What about Russia air force!? In my opinion they had best airplanes, after luftwafe, on the allied side!!

Its nice to have good planes, and a huge airforce, but if many of your pilots and officers are basically the air equivalent of suicide charge people then all's for naught, because many will be lost for little gain in the begginning.

[Marcel]

The USAAF was definitely the most powerful airforce in the world in 1945. But I think they had a lot of outdated and mediocre planes in 1941 when they got involved with the war. They were not very well prepared for it. So if this is only about 1944/45 I would vote the USAAF, but not for the whole length of the war.

The Russians won because they were willing to sacrifice more men then any other country in the world. That makes you victorious, but does that make you good? I don't think so.

The Luftwaffe was very good indeed, but they lacked any strategic capability and suffered a lot from bad strategic decisions.

The Japanese airforce quickly showed they were not up to the task and couldn't defend their country from US bombers.

Italian... hmm, don't know much positive about them, but maybe you can teach me. The had some nice planes later in the war, but that alone also doesn't make you the best overall.

Most of the "Royals" mentioned here I usually see as something belonging to the RAF. But then again, I might need some eduction on that.

Chinese got beaten by the Japanese. Needed help form US volunteers and RAF to survive.

That leaves the RAF. At the start of the war they had some of the most modern planes of the world (just like the Germans). Contrary to the germans, they developed a huge strategic capability during the war, and also close air support. So I'll vote for them.

By the way, Les, I think europe would have spoken Rusky if it wasn't for the US. Russia would eventually have beaten the germans after some time due to sheer manpower

[lesofprimus]

Someones padding the results for the Germans in this Poll... This morning it was 7-1 USA to RAF.... Now look at it...

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Hmm unfortunatly it is not a public poll where you can see who voted for what.

[lesofprimus]

Yup....

NOTE TO EVERYONE, MAKE ALL FUTURE POLLS PUBLIC!!!

[Civettone]

Although I love German aircraft and pilots, the Luftwaffe is a no-go what I'm concerned because of bad leadership and vision. That the Luftwaffe did so good was because it was innovative before WW2. After that, bad decisions, dropping training quality and not getting the most out of their aircraft industry, started to push the Luftwaffe back in favour of the RAF and USAAF.

I also have to go for the USAAF because everthing was in tune, the perfect mix, training, doctrines, technical support, leadership, logistics, ...

An honourable mention for the Finnish Air Force though, an example of making the most (and more) out of little.

Kris

[syscom3]

Originally Posted by lesofprimus

Someones padding the results for the Germans in this Poll... This morning it was 7-1 USA to RAF.... Now look at it...

I'd be happy to pad the results for the USAAF.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

We know you would...

[cheddar cheese]

Regia Aeronautica. But you all knew id put that right

[comiso90]

Originally Posted by Marcel

The USAAF was definitely the most powerful airforce in the world in 1945. But I think they had a lot of outdated and mediocre planes in 1941 when they got involved with the war. They were not very well prepared for it. So if this is only about 1944/45 I would vote the USAAF, but not for the whole length of the war.

Yes Marcel.. The pole was not "Which Air Force , at it's peak, was the best." or "Which was the best at the end of the war." The USAF had few bright spots until mid 43 - 44.

The Germans suffered from poor leadership and not a very well rounded inventory, but they were dangerious from start to destruction.

[Marcel]

Originally Posted by comiso90

Yes Marcel.. The pole was not "Which Air Force , at it's peak, was the best." or "Which was the best at the end of the war." The USAF had few bright spots until mid 43 - 44.

That's what I figured.

Originally Posted by comiso90

The Germans suffered from poor leadership and not a very well rounded inventory, but they were dangerious from start to destruction.

Were they? Maybe I'm misinformed, but I thought the western allies didn't see a lot from the Luftwaffe after Normandy until the battle of the Bulge. And after that there I thought was even less activity.

[bigZ]

Originally Posted by lesofprimus

If the US didnt enter the War in Europe, the Brits would be speaking German and the Eifel Tower would be flying the Swastica...

Sorry but this satatement is just plain wrong. I am aware how indebted this country is(or should be) to the US. But lets not forget if things got any worse than they did the RAF could use strategic depth to counter the Luftwaffe(Same as they did to RAF when it went on the offensive). It would have been to the USA eternal shame if they let the last ray of hope in europe die out. The BOB forever broken the back of the Luftwaffe.

As for the best airforce. Hmm I couldn't vote. Early on without doubt its the Luftwaffe(training, tactics). BOB RAF & Luftwaffe evenly matched but leadership/planning goes to the RAF. Africa eventually the RAF. USAF bombing campaign was the most successfull. Pacific USA.

You can't base the desicion on best planes/training(RAF pilots had little or no training in how to shot during the BOB concentrated on formation flying) at the forces best showing. Other factors such as the competentancy of officers at strategic or even tactical level, logistics, what % of planes where combat ready at any one time etc, etc, etc, etc, etc.

What am trying to say is it took the combined effort of all the allies to turn the war around. The RAF couldn't have done it on its own, but equally USSR couldnt have been supplied if GB fell or the USAF wouldnt have waged its superb bombing campaign without GB bases.

Talking of training dosn't the expression "One a day in Tampa Bay" refer to the horrendous B29 losses due to poor training?

[lesofprimus]

It was a joke, aka A Fish Called Wanda...