A-20 Havoc Stars & Stripes Rocks Glass

The A-20 Havoc was a fast, rugged, and versatile twin-engine light bomber and attack aircraft used by the United States and several Allied nations during World War II. Designed for low- to medium-altitude operations, the A-20 excelled in a variety of roles—light bombing, ground attack, night fighting, and reconnaissance—and was valued for its speed, maneuverability, and durability in combat.

Powered by two Wright R-2600 radial engines, the A-20 could reach speeds of up to 339 mph, carry a bomb load of up to 2,000 pounds, and was typically armed with a combination of .50-calibre machine guns in nose, dorsal, and ventral positions. Later variants included solid noses packed with forward-firing guns for strafing missions, making it a deadly attacker against ground targets and enemy transport columns.

The A-20 was widely used in the Pacific, North Africa, and European theaters by the U.S. Army Air Forces, Royal Air Force (as the Boston), Soviet Air Force, and others. In the Pacific, it flew low-level missions against Japanese airfields and shipping. In Europe, the A-20 was employed in tactical bombing missions, often flying in tight formations at tree-top level to evade radar detection.

One of the aircraft’s notable records was its extensive use by Soviet forces, who received over 3,000 A-20s under Lend-Lease—more than any other Allied operator. In Soviet hands, it was used for night intruder missions and close support, earning high marks for survivability.

The A-20 was also one of the first U.S. bombers to see combat in WWII, flying with the RAF as early as 1940. American A-20s took part in the invasion of North Africa (Operation Torch), and were prominent in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea in 1943, where they played a key role in decimating a Japanese troop convoy.

A total of 7,478 A-20s were built in multiple variants, including the A-20B, C, G, and J, along with the P-70 night fighter. Though eventually eclipsed by larger or more specialised bombers, the Havoc’s speed, flexibility, and reliability made it one of the most effective and underrated multi-role aircraft of the war.