The Origins of the Scheme. The Collapse of Daylight Bombing and the Fall of France. Bomber Command is left in the central strategic position it always sought but its tactics and doctrine are exposed as completely ineffective.
1941
The Training Scheme grows rapidly. Bomber Command continues the night offensive, which it had not expected or prepared for, despite high losses, slow production and the failure and withdrawal of the Manchester. The results of the bombing are demonstrated to be almost entirely ineffective by the Butt report. The British Government continues the commitment of resources to Bomber Command because they have no other means of continuing to engage Germany. At year end losses and slow production force the reduction of the intensity of the offensive despite the urgent need for any action, which might assist the Soviet Union.
January to June 1942
Gee, the first Radio Aid to navigation and bombing, and the Battle of the Ruhr. The defences of the Ruhr still have the upper hand but Bomber Command strike powerful blows against targets in prominent geographical positions in good weather. Bomber numbers build up climaxing with the Thousand Bomber raids at the end of the period. The Training Scheme continues to expand despite the Japanese threat to Australia. The Accident Rate continues high in both the Training Scheme and Bomber Command.
July to December 1942
Establishment of the Pathfinder Force and development of its methods and new navigation and target marking systems.
Slow production and continuing high losses restricted the build up of numbers of Bomber Command’s main force. Few attacks dispatched as many as 300 aircraft.
The Germans start jamming Gee.
In bright moonlight and good visibility good results were achieved, bad weather nearly always prevented effective results.
Despite Manpower pressures in the Australian war economy it was decided Air Crew training would continue on the planned scale of 11,200 trainees per year to preserve the value of the established training organisation. Air crew above local requirements would continue to be attached to the RAF.
January to July1943
The introduction of Oboe and H2S. Slowly increasing strength and effectiveness. A useless diversion to the submarine pens.
The Dambusters Raid.
Contributions to the fall of Mussolini.
The introduction of Window and the crushing of Hamburg.
August to December 1943
Failure to maintain the pressure after Hamburg.
Useful pressure on the new Italian government but pressure on Germany is defeated by distance and winter weather.
January 1944 to D Day
The transition from independent strategic bombing of distant targets in winter weather at great cost for uncertain and marginal gains to the clarity of bombing short range tactical targets in good summer weather in support of Overlord with a fixed if unknown timetable.
D Day
The numbers of RAAF aircrew in the UK and their involvement on D Day.
The Battle for Normandy June and July 1944
Bomber Command attacks the French rail system to isolate the battlefield from German reinforcements then attempts to blast a route through the German defences.
The battle for Normandy is fought at the same time as the battle against the flying bombs and a contribution to the war on German oil supplies.
The Breakout. 18 July to 22 August.
The strategic bombers continue attacks on the French rail system to isolate the battlefield in Normandy. Attacks on flying bomb sites and German oil supplies continue and attacks on German cities recommence.
At the third attempt the strategic bombers blast a gap in the German line and the American army breaks out of the bridgehead and drives east towards Germany.
The Battle for Ports August & September 1944
Bomber Command is required to take a major role in the army’s battle for Supply Ports.
The Campaigns against Oil Supply and German cities continue but only lip service is paid to the attack on the German transport system.
The Training Scheme winds down and the movement of aircrew to Europe goes into reverse.
Bomber Command in the battles for Antwerp and the Battle of the Bulge October to December 1944.
Bomber Command is required to take a major role in the army’s battle for Antwerp.
The Campaigns against Oil Supply and German cities continue but only lip service is paid to the attack on the German transport system.
All Arms are required to give their best efforts to slow down and strangle the German thrust through the Ardennes towards the Meuse.
Early 1945
Tactical bombing to defend in the Ardennes and to help the Allies forward to the Rhine. Continued attacks on German oil and transport. Area attacks on Germany’s eastern cities including Dresden.
The End of the War in Europe
The continuing war on oil and transport. The march of the P.O.W.s.
Crossing the Rhine.
A debate on area bombardment.
Where they went What it cost.
What was achieved.
Jerry McBrien 