[DuncanWaring]

I’ve seen a claim that the attrition rate (killed or shot down and captured) of bomber crewmen in the 8th Air Force in WWII was around 70%.

Given the horrendous casualty rates (in an extreme case, Schweinfurt/Oct 43, 20%) prior to all-the-way fighter escort that’s believable.

[Rebelbase]

There was video posted here a couple of days ago of an interview titled something like, “interview of 100 year old badass B-17 pilot”.

IIRC, it mentioned in 1943 the survival rate of B-17 crew members was around 20%.

[Freedom4US]

Almost 10,000 U.S. aviators were killed just in training right here in America. There are crash sites all over.


My dad didn't serve in the war, he was a little too young, but he served right after on a Diesel boat. It wasn't the safest job in the world. He told me lots of cool stories, some not so cool. He said ordinarily surfacing was a very regimented thing, with a lot of back and forth commands, "aye aye sir" and disciplined. One time though, they kept descending for some reason. I don't recall what the crush depth was, but all the good order and discipline went out the window. The captain got on the intercom and yelled "TAKE THIS SON OF A BITCH UP!!!" Hm.