Douglas Boston

A Light Bomber that Served with Distinction in Every War Theatre

Jul 31, 2009 Murray McLeod

The Douglas Boston was a versatile aircraft, well liked by the crews who operated it in a variety of conditions from tropical jungle to the snows of Russia.

After becoming operational in 1940 the Douglas Boston remained in front line service throughout the war; and rather than distinguish itself in any particular theatre it served with equal distinction over them all. Its area of operations extended from the tropical Pacific, through the Middle East and Italy, the United Kingdom and to the frozen wastes of Soviet Russia. The Red Air Force was a devotee of the versatile A-20 where 3,100 examples of the production total of 7,380 were delivered to the Soviet Union.

Operational

Its origins go back to 1936 when it was conceived as a private venture to replace the single-engine attack bombers currently in U.S. Army service. The prototype 7A was nearing completion when it was re-designed to a more advanced concept, emerging as the 7B that first flew in late 1938.Its potential was apparent with its tricycle undercarriage, maximum speed of 300 mph, bomb load of 2000 lb and provision for heavy armament. Those factors drew favourable interest from a French Purchasing Commission seeking modern equipment for the Armee de L’Air. In February 1939 Douglas was awarded an initial order of 100 aircraft; and in a remarkable production achievement these were in French hands by December. However the Armee de L’Air was slow to put them into service; with only one unit being operational at the time of the May 1940 blitzkrieg. Following the French capitulation in June the remaining DB-7s were incorporated into the Vichy Air Force. The residue of the total French order of 950 aircraft found their way into RAF service via Free French pilots in North Africa. This occurred in late 1940; at the time of Britain’s night blitz when there was a marked shortage of aircraft capable of carrying the bulky A.I. radar. Re-named as ‘Havocs’ they fulfilled this role as a night-intruder during 1941-42; after which they were supplanted by the faster De Havilland Mosquito

RAF and US Army service

It was as a light bomber that the Boston achieved its greatest success with both the RAF and U.S. Army Air Corps. In late 1941 the type entered service with 4 RAF day-bomber squadrons, replacing the obsolescent Blenheim 1Vs. A similar scenario took place in 1942 in North Africa when Bostons replaced Blenheims in 5 bomber squadrons; their presence making a significant impact on Rommel’s advance into Egypt. Each new marque featured significant improvements in performance and armament; in particular the A-20G that featured a power-operated dorsal turret in place of the hand-held situation of earlier versions.

In the United Kingdom the U.S. Ninth Air Force used the A-20G to good effect in tactical sorties over Western Europe as a prelude to the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944. On D-Day itself, RAF Bostons were involved in laying smoke screens; the necessary chemicals being carried in tanks installed in the bomb bays. Twelve months of bitter fighting still remained until the conclusion of hostilities in Europe, assisted in no small way by the efforts of the A-20 crews. Peak inventory for the USAAF was reached in September 1944 with 1,700 Havocs in service. Dependable and potent, the DB7s career may have been overshadowed by more spectacular exploits of its contemporaries but it deserves recognition as a brilliant U.S. combat design.

Boston Postscript

In a pleasing postscript two examples have been the subject of a recent restoration by RAAF technicians. One was retrieved from a New Guinea swamp where it had been submerged for over fifty years and subsequently returned to Australia. The finished project is spectacular indeed, and a tribute to the dedication and skills of the air force team involved. Mention should also be made that whilst operating with No.22 squadron (RAAF) during the New Guinea campaign Flt.Lt. W.E.Newton was awarded a posthumous VC.

The copyright of the article Douglas Boston in Military History is owned by Murray McLeod. Permission to republish Douglas Boston in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Douglas Boston