Nuklear bomb

[Splitter]

Originally Posted by WTE_Galway

There is a lot of revisionists and apologists around concerning the motives of the allied bombing campaign. It makes it more comfortable when we look back at WWII if we can pretend it was a tactical military bombing campaign that just happened to go on for 5 years.

The allied leaders at the time had no illusions as to what its purpose was, first and foremost destroy the moral of the German people. They felt it was justified at the time, but changed their mind later in the war. This is Winston on the topic:

Very true, Galway. And I am sure you would agree that the Axis powers did the same. I think Germany actually went after civilians first in the BoB to demoralize the Brits.

Splitter

[WTE_Galway]

Originally Posted by Splitter

Very true, Galway. And I am sure you would agree that the Axis powers did the same. I think Germany actually went after civilians first in the BoB to demoralize the Brits.

Splitter

Not so much in BoB as Hitler was convinced England would not want another 5 years of war so soon after WWI and would make peace.

Definitely the Germans in the SCW, Poland, Belgium Holland and France before the BoB had shown no qualms about bombing and strafing civilians though mainly for short or medium term tactical advantage.

Ironically the German's never really planned for strategic 'terror' bombing and had no real aircraft suitable for it early in the war. Nazi terror campaigns seemed to feature a lot more hangings and concentration camps than bombings.

Whilst this failure to plan is often cited as a reason for failure of the "blitz" history has shown time and again that "shock and awe" style campaigns, whilst giving the side attacking a warm fuzzy glow, tend to stiffen rather then weaken resistance. Even with 4 engined bombers and longer range fighters it seems unlikely the "blitz" would have forced Britain to capitulate.


Note Churchill however was a proponent of long range bombing of Germany right from the start of hostilities.