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OverviewThe all-too frequently cited mantra that 'the bomber will always get through' had dominated Britain's strategic air policy in the decades preceding the Second World War. However, the experiences of the Battle of Britain and the Blitz indicated that aerial bombardments were not as effective at disabling a country's ability to fight as had been believed. This assessment was reinforced when the RAF's Bomber Command analysed the results of their precision bombing efforts during the early years of the war. A growing body of evidence indicated that the great 'knock-out' blow expected to be delivered from the air was a fantasy and that it would only be through a prolonged campaign of attrition that the enemy could be worn down to such a degree that morale, the means of production and the infrastructure of the enemy would be degraded to the point where its fighting ability was crippled. The result of this assessment was a change of policy from precision bombing of carefully identified key installations, to area bombing with the declared intent of striking at the homes of the German workers, the factories where they worked regardless of the nature of such establishments or of the civilian casualties that would be the inevitable consequence. In compiling this official analysis of the effectiveness of the RAF's strategic bombing campaign, the author was granted unrestricted access to Air Ministry, Cabinet and other relevant departmental documents that were maintained for internal government use, enabling him to gain a complete and unbiased assessment of the contribution made by Bomber Command to the defeat of Germany. The conclusion he draws fully justifies the decisions taken, by both Britain and the USA, to bomb the German people into surrender. AUTHOR: This official account of the planning of the RAF's bombing offensive in the Second World War and its contribution to the Allied victory was written for the Air Ministry soon after the end of the conflict and was based on information, reports and documents provided by those involved in the campaign. 16 b/w illustrations Full Product DetailsAuthor: An Official HistoryPublisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd Imprint: Air World ISBN: 9781526798251ISBN 10: 1526798255 Pages: 256 Publication Date: 30 November 2023 Audience: General/trade , General Format: Paperback Publisher's Status: Active Availability: In Print This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us. Table of ContentsReviewsAuthor InformationThis official account of the planning of the RAF's bombing offensive in the Second World War and its contribution to the Allied victory was written for the Air Ministry soon after the end of the conflict and was based on information, reports and documents provided by those involved in the campaign. Tab Content 6Author Website:Countries AvailableAll regions |