Strategy, Tactical, Leadership, and Technology

The Douglas DB-7 was the original design that would evolve into the A-20 Havoc series. Conceived in the late 1930s as a fast, light twin-engine attack bomber, the DB-7 was intended to fill the role of a daylight bomber and ground-attack aircraft capable of outpacing enemy fighters and striking with precision. Though initially overlooked by the U.S. Army Air Corps, the DB-7 became a major export success, finding early adopters in France and Britain before the United States entered World War II.

Development and Role
The DB-7 originated from a Douglas Aircraft Company submission to a 1936 U.S. Army Air Corps competition for a new attack bomber. While Douglas did not initially win the contract, the prototype demonstrated such impressive speed, handling, and bomb load capacity that foreign buyers expressed immediate interest. France ordered large numbers before the fall of 1940, and the British Purchasing Commission followed suit, designating the type Boston in Royal Air Force service.

The DB-7’s role was defined by its versatility: it could perform low-level ground attack, medium-altitude bombing, and reconnaissance, while also adapting to night-fighting and intruder duties. Its speed and agility distinguished it from heavier medium bombers of the era, giving it a tactical advantage in the early war years.

Powerplant and Enhancements
The DB-7 was powered by two Wright R-1820 or Pratt & Whitney R-1830 radial engines, depending on production batch and customer requirements. Output ranged between 1,000 and 1,100 horsepower per engine. Key enhancements included:

• A highly streamlined fuselage and low-drag engine nacelles, giving the aircraft speed comparable to fighters of the late 1930s.

• Reinforced bomb bay and internal racks, allowing a payload of up to 2,000 lb of bombs.

• Configurable cockpit layouts to suit export requirements, with French and British variants adopting different instrumentation and armament fits.

• Excellent handling characteristics, particularly at low altitude, which made it a favorite among pilots conducting ground-attack missions.

This combination of speed, payload, and agility allowed the DB-7 to outperform many contemporary attack aircraft.

Configuration and Equipment
The DB-7 typically carried a crew of three—pilot, bombardier/navigator, and gunner—though some variants expanded this to four. The aircraft’s design was compact and efficient, featuring:

• Glazed nose section for bombardier visibility and targeting.

• A dorsal position with a defensive machine gun, supplemented by ventral and flexible waist mounts depending on customer requirements.

• Provisions for both internal bomb load and external racks for additional ordnance.

Armament varied considerably, but standard fits included .30 or .303 caliber machine guns, with later export and derivative versions adopting heavier .50 caliber Browning armament.

Operational Use
The DB-7 saw its first combat with the French Air Force in 1940, where its speed and maneuverability made it a rare bright spot in an otherwise grim campaign. After France’s surrender, surviving DB-7s were evacuated or captured, while British orders continued under Lend-Lease. In RAF service, the DB-7 became the Boston, operating in daylight bombing and intruder roles, and proving itself in both European and North African campaigns.

The Soviet Union also received large numbers through Lend-Lease, where the DB-7 and subsequent A-20 Havoc variants became staples of tactical strike and night-bombing operations on the Eastern Front. The type’s adaptability made it highly effective across multiple theaters.

Crew Experience
Pilots praised the DB-7 for its fighter-like handling, fast acceleration, and forgiving flight characteristics compared to other twin-engine bombers. Its speed gave crews confidence in both offensive strikes and defensive withdrawals. However, the limited defensive armament and relatively light bomb load meant that DB-7 units had to rely on tactical precision rather than brute force. Navigators appreciated the clear visibility of the glazed nose, while gunners often complained of limited firing arcs in the earliest versions.

Conclusion
The Douglas DB-7 laid the foundation for the highly successful A-20 Havoc/Boston family, becoming one of the most widely used and versatile Allied medium bombers of World War II. Its combination of speed, agility, and adaptability made it valuable to multiple air forces, from France and Britain to the Soviet Union and eventually the United States. Though overshadowed in American memory by the B-25 and B-26, the DB-7’s combat record and global service make it one of the most important twin-engine bombers of the early war years.