![]() Both sides conducted intensive research work to improve radars and counter-measures against enemy technologies all this made the bomber war a form of sophisticated electronic warfare. Germany fought bitterly to defend its territory, using fighters, anti-aircraft artillery and a whole range of detection and scrambling devices. Those air raids deep inside German territory were conducted with large numbers of aircraft, at times more than a thousand bombers flying at high altitude and moving on in successive waves under the cover of the night. To optimize the destructive effects of bombing and reduce casualties, heavier, longer-ranged, four-engine Halifax and Lancaster bombers gradually replaced the earlier twin-engine bombers. National Defence Image Library, RE 74-385.Īllied bombers had to cross Germany’s daunting anti-aircraft defence lines in order to reach their targets, as well as on their way back home. The Operations Room of RCAF No 405 Squadron, in 1941. The RAF soon switched to night bombing as the only way to avoid enemy fighters. Just as the Luftwaffe’s Dorniers 17, Junkers 88 and Heinkel 111 bombers did not stand a chance against the Spitfires, in the same way Bomber Command’s Wellingtons and Hampdens could not escape the Messerschmitts 109 that guarded the Third Reich’s air space. They proved to be almost suicidal, as the bombers were no match for the faster and more manoeuvrable German fighters. It is only after the end of the Battle of Britain that the Allies would, in their turn, assume the offensive and launch bombing raids against Germany. Starting in July 1940, such raids became a reality, as German bombers attacked Britain. ![]() The doctrine of strategic bombing resulted from that theory. Pre-emptive, offensive bombing, that would crush the enemy before it can engage in such action, was therefore deemed to be the only way to escape utter destruction. By kind permission of the Pelland family.īetween the two world wars, advances in aeronautics were such that a theory was born, claiming that, with aircraft flying increasingly faster and higher, no country could survive systematic high-explosive and incendiary bomb strikes. Porritt, was killed but the other crewmembers were able to escape the flaming wreck. Halifax “J” of No 432 Squadron crashed at take-off at East Moor, Yorkshire, April 16th, 1945.
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