Events with tag - Air Combat

April 14, 1915

First Night Fighter Victory

German pilot Kurt Wintgens achieved the first successful night fighter victory in aviation history by shooting down a French Farman aircraft near Lunéville, France. This groundbreaking achievement revolutionized aerial warfare and established the foundation for modern night fighting capabilities.

April 1, 1917

Battle of Bloody April

A devastating month-long air campaign during World War I where the German Air Service dominated the Royal Flying Corps, resulting in 245 British aircraft and 211 aircrew losses over the Western Front.

July 10, 1940

Battle of Britain Begins

The Battle of Britain officially commenced on July 10, 1940, marking the start of Nazi Germany's first major aerial campaign against Britain, beginning with attacks on shipping convoys in the English Channel.

August 1, 1943

Operation Tidal Wave

A daring low-altitude bombing raid conducted by 177 B-24 Liberators targeting crucial Nazi oil refineries in Ploesti, Romania, resulting in significant casualties but demonstrating American resolve to strike at Nazi Germany's vital resources.

February 20, 1944

Defense of the Reich Peak Campaign

The Defense of the Reich reached its climax in 1944 when the Luftwaffe engaged in desperate battles against Allied bomber formations and their P-51 Mustang escorts, marking a crucial turning point in the air war over Europe.

October 28, 1965

Black Thursday Air Battle

On October 28, 1965, U.S. Air Force suffered one of its most devastating losses during Operation Rolling Thunder when North Vietnamese forces shot down multiple F-105 Thunderchiefs near Hanoi, resulting in five aircraft losses and multiple casualties.

June 9, 1982

Bekaa Valley Air Battle

In a decisive two-hour air battle known as the 'Bekaa Valley Turkey Shoot', Israeli Air Force fighters shot down 29 Syrian MiG aircraft without any losses while destroying 17 Syrian SAM sites. The battle demonstrated the superiority of Western military technology and changed modern air combat doctrine.