From their arrival in the UK in 1942 the Mighty Eighth Airforce launched hundreds of bombing raids against continental Europe becoming the largest air armada in history. Their capability was fearsome – able to send 2,000 heavy bombers and over 1,000 fighter planes on a single mission. By May 1945, the Eighth had flown over 600,000 sorties and dropped over 670,000 tons of bombs. Their contribution to the liberation of Europe cannot be overestimated. We are pleased, therefore, to offer this tour which explores the major sites in the east of England connected with the Eighth, visiting airfields, cemeteries, memorials, control towers and museums small and large, including the American Air Museum at Duxford where we get up close to a B-17 Flying Fortress. 

It is difficult to overestimate the contribution made by the US Eighth Air Force to the destruction of Nazi Germany in the Second World War. From their arrival in the UK in mid-1942 until May 1945 this massive air armada flew over 600,000 sorties to bomb occupied Europe and dropped over 670,000 tons of bombs. Led by Generals Ira Eaker – the proponent of daylight precision bombing – and Jimmy Doolittle - also known for his daring raid on Tokyo - the ‘Mighty Eighth’ were involved in a veritable rollcall of operations including several destructive raids on Berlin, the disruption of transport networks as a prelude to Operation Overlord and the besting of the German oil industry.

The Eighth succeeded in eroding the German Luftwaffe’s capability giving the Allies air supremacy and ultimate victory in Europe. But it came with a heavy price with 6,000 Eighth airmen killed and another 28,000 made prisoners of war. The Eighth’s motto "Peace Through Strength” was clearly exemplified in their outstanding war record.