Understanding Black Monday: Unveiling the True Story of a Fateful Day

In the seventh episode of Masters of the Air, the men of the 100th Bomb Group faced their most dangerous mission yet. This mission, known as Black Monday, became a significant event in history. Major Gale 'Buck' Cleven and Major John 'Bucky' Egan had already faced challenges in previous missions to Bremen and Munster, but the 100th Bomb Group continued to undertake risky flights. As they flew more missions over Germany, the number of casualties increased. On Black Monday, during a mission by the Eighth Air Force, the 100th Bomb Group experienced their highest losses of the war.

Black Monday Was The First Maximum Effort Daylight Raid On Berlin In WW2

Though Lieutenant Colonel Robert 'Rosie' Rosenthal and Major Harry Crosby did not participate in Black Monday in Masters of the Air, the mission was still a pivotal moment for the men as a whole. In episode 7, it was revealed that the 100th consisted mostly of replacements by the time of Black Monday. This meant that the airmen who lost their lives during this operation were relatively new to the regiment. Despite facing 29 more missions after Black Monday, the survivors were left with a sense of foreboding. However, in many ways, this event marked a dark period before brighter days ahead.

Anthony Boyle as Harry Crosby looking at damaged plane Masters of the Air - Black Monday Was The First Maximum Effort Daylight Raid On Berlin In WW2

The raid known as Black Monday was the largest daytime attack ever carried out over Berlin, as shown in Masters of the Air. Unlike previous missions by the Eighth Air Force which targeted smaller cities like Regensberg, Bremen, and Munster, Black Monday was aimed directly at Germany's capital. This made the mission's success crucial, but also posed a greater risk due to the heightened presence of the Luftwaffe.

On March 6, 1944, the Eighth Air Force, which included the 100th, went on a mission to bomb Berlin. A total of 814 bombers and 944 fighters participated in this mission, making it the largest force to fly up to that point.

The outcome of Black Monday was a mix of good and bad. The mission resulted in the highest number of American aircraft and airmen lost during the Second World War. The 100th squadron alone lost around 15 planes in the attack. However, this mission marked a significant turning point for the U.S. Army Air Forces in their battle against the Luftwaffe. Following Black Monday, the Luftwaffe became more vulnerable, paving the way for the USAAF to eventually defeat them. As a result, Black Monday had both negative and positive impacts.

How Many People Died On The Eighth Air Force's Black Monday

Airmen running to damaged plane Masters of the Air - How Many People Died On The Eighth Air Force's Black Monday

On Black Monday, out of the 1,758 U.S. Army Air Forces planes that flew out, 69 planes did not make it back. Since each plane had a crew of ten men, this meant that around 700 American airmen lost their lives that day. Among the 69 lost planes, 15 belonged to the 100th Bomb Group, resulting in the tragic loss of 150 men from the squadron.

During the Munster Raid, the 100th Bomb Group suffered heavy losses with 12 out of their 13 planes not returning. The only pilot to bring back his plane, the Royal Flush, safely to Thorpe Abbotts was Lieutenant Robert Rosenthal.

Despite the heavy losses suffered on Black Monday, the Eighth Air Force continued their attacks on Berlin.

Reasons for Continuing Attacks

Edward Ashley and Sawyer Spielberg Masters of the Air - Why The Eighth Air Force Kept Attacking Berlin Despite Black Monday's Casualties

Even though many lives were lost when flying over Berlin, the U.S. Army Air Forces didn't stop their missions over the city. The reason behind this decision was that each mission, despite the losses, was considered a success. The goal was to weaken the Luftwaffe so that the Allies could eventually invade, and the best way to achieve this was to engage the enemy in battle. This risky and costly strategy was acknowledged as dangerous by Masters of the Air, but it played a crucial role in bringing the U.S. closer to defeating Germany.

Editor's P/S:

The article on Black Monday, a devastating mission faced by the 100th Bomb Group, paints a somber picture of the sacrifices made by American airmen during World War II. The staggering loss of life, including 150 men from the 100th Bomb Group alone, is a chilling reminder of the horrors of war. It's hard to fathom the courage and resilience of these young men, flying into the face of danger with the knowledge that their chances of survival were slim.

The article also highlights the strategic significance of Black Monday, despite its tragic outcome. It marked a turning point in the air war, weakening the Luftwaffe and paving the way for the eventual Allied victory. This realization brings a sense of gratitude for the sacrifices made by these brave airmen, knowing that their losses contributed to the greater cause of defeating tyranny. Their legacy serves as a reminder of the indomitable spirit that has always fueled the fight for freedom.