WW II Combat tour ?

[Stoney]

I know the 8th bombers had 25 missions and the fighters 200 hours, but what was the tour in other parts of the world?

[Pogmusic]

Those were early numbers. As the war improved for the allied side, the mission numbers went up.

[HPDCapt]

It was 50 missions for the 15th Air Force in Italy. At least in 1944.

[shrike]

I know the 8th bombers had 25 missions and the fighters 200 hours, but what was the tour in other parts of the world?

Well Galland did 705 missions from1937-45, Trautloft did 560 from 36-45, Rall did 621 from 40-45 and Hartmann managed to get in 1404 sorties from 42-45, so it did vary from place to place and unit to unit....

As others will point out in greater detail, the USAAF's requirements changed during the course of the war, with the number of missions required going up as the allies moved closer to air superiority, and the survival of bomber crews improved.

[Stoney]

So what were they for the US? That was the ???

[JohnB]

In the 7th AF (B-24s) it was 40....

[Invader26]

I had the pleasure of hosting Flt Lt Murray Adams, RAAF last night. Murray is 95 and still as healthy and alert as can be. Murray flew fighters with the RAF in three theatres almost continuously from 1941 to 1945. Started on Gladiators/Hurricanes/Tomahawks in the desert theatre. Converted to Spitfires and flew in the Sicily and Italian campaigns and his squadron then moved to Europe theatre and he flew Spitfire IX's and then Tempests up until war's end. Shot down once in a Tomahawk and evaded capture by searching Germans near Tobruk and was returned to his squadron by some LRDG guys. Back in the saddle the next day! Just over four years of continuous fighter flying. His rest breaks were a couple of weeks leave at a time from the squadrons. No rotation home to Australia or ground jobs! [then went back to farming!!!!]
http://lifeasinzy.com/tag/murray-adams/

[Mark Sampson]

My father flew as a B-17 flight engineer (waist gunner) in the 8th AF from Feb-July 1944. 452nd bomb group. After 32 missions he was elected a member of the 'Lucky Bastard Club' and sent home to be a B-29 engine mechanic until the war's end. I think we can assume that you stayed as long as you lived, or as long as they needed aircrew.

[Invader26]

My dear friend Flt Lt Murray Adams MID, RAAF fighter pilot in WW2, was last week awarded the French Legion of Honour for his service in the liberation of France.

Murray also celebrated his 96th birthday a couple of weeks ago.

He flew fighters for five years starting in the Desert in 1941 on Gladiators then to Hurricanes, Tomahawks, Kittyhawks, Spitfires in Sicily and Italy ending his last tour flying Spitfire IX's and Tempest V's in Europe. He led his Tempest wing of 36 aircraft on a sweep as a Flg Off [1st Lt]!

He amassed a record 1000 combat hours which as a fighter pilot is right up there. His log book reads like a book. Encounters with Stukas, Me 109/110, V-1's and escorting C-47's at Arnhem. He came home to Australia in JUne 1945 having left at the beginning of 1941...

[Invader26]

I am saddened to advise that my friend Flt Lt Murray Adams RAAF MID French Legion of Honour passed away this morning aged 96.

A fine fellow. We will miss him...RIP

[Punisher05]

A shame, but at the same time what an incredible story when all is said and done.

Do you think there might be any plans to write a biography of his war years based on his logbooks? It sounds like it would be fascinating since he was there from beginning to end.

-Brandon