andUnternehmen Bodenplatte (English: Operation Baseplate or Operation Ground Plate), launched on 1 January 1945, was an attempt by the Luftwaffe to cripple Allied air forces in the Low Countries during Second World War. The Germans husbanded their resources in the preceding months at the expense of the Defence of the Reich units in what was a last-ditch effort to keep up the momentum of the German Army (German: Heer) during the stagnant stage of the Battle of the Bulge (German: Unternehmen Wacht am Rhein).
Contents
- German order of battle
- RAF No 83 Group
- RAF No 84 Group
- RAF No 2 Group
- American Tactical Air Forces
- American Strategic Air Forces
- References
The following is an order of battle of Allied and German forces.
German order of battle
On 31 December 1944, the Luftwaffe had the following available for Bodenplatte under Luftwaffenkommando West (Air Command West) (Joseph Schmid):
RAF No. 83 Group
The Allies had the following forces: No. 83 Group RAF:
RAF No. 84 Group
No. 84 Group RAF:
RAF No. 2 Group
No. 2 Group RAF:
American Tactical Air Forces
Ninth Air Force:
American Strategic Air Forces
Although some of its units were present, the Eighth Air Force is not listed on the Allied order of battle.