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This Remembrance Profile was originally created by Richard Lee Hopka - Deceased
WWII - European Theater of Operations/Air Offensive, Europe Campaign (1942-44)/Big Week
From Month/Year
February / 1944
To Month/Year
February / 1944
Description Between February 20–25, 1944, as part of the European strategic bombing campaign, the United States Strategic Air Forces (USSTAF) launched Operation Argument, a series of missions against the Third Reich that became known as Big Week. The planners intended to lure the Luftwaffe into a decisive battle by launching massive attacks on the German aircraft industry. By defeating the Luftwaffe, the Allies would achieve air superiority and the invasion of Europe could proceed.
The daylight bombing campaign was also supported by RAF Bomber Command, operating against the same targets at night.: Arthur Harris resisted contributing RAF forces as it diverted them from the British area bombing offensive. It took a direct order from Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal, Chief of the Air Staff to force Harris to comply.
RAF Fighter Command also provided escort for USAAF bomber formations, just at the time that the Eighth Air Force had started introducing the P-51 long-range fighter to take over the role.
