80th anniversary of the largest air battle over Czech territory

On December 17, 1944, the skies over Moravia witnessed the largest air battle over Czech territory during World War II. The clash between American and German air forces resulted in the loss of 18 American B-24 Liberators, one B-17 Flying Fortress, six Allied fighters, and around 50 German planes. Over 200 pilots from both sides lost their lives. The battle involved 527 bombers from the U.S. 15th Air Force, escorted by 300 fighters, targeting synthetic fuel factories in present-day Poland. The confrontation began in the Haná region and spread across Moravia, with dozens of planes crashing in former Czechoslovakia.