Target Schweinfurt

In "Black Thursday," aviation historian Tom Cleaver vividly recounts the US Eighth Air Force’s challenging and costly raid on Schweinfurt in October 1943, a pivotal event in World War II. Drawing from firsthand accounts of survivors, the narrative details Mission 115, where 291 B-17 bombers aimed to cripple crucial German ball bearing factories amid fierce resistance from the Luftwaffe. As the mission unfolds, the crew faces relentless attacks, resulting in significant losses and marking a shift in air warfare dynamics. This gripping account highlights the desperate struggle for survival and the profound consequences for subsequent air operations.