Fighter Boys and Bomber Boys: Saving Britain 1940–1945
Page 99
B-17 Flying Fortresses 127, 206, 310
Bader, Douglas xxxii
Bailey, Rob 62
Ball, Fred 220
Baring, Aubrey 383
Barker, Squadron Leader R. I. 255
Barnard, Squadron Leader 103
Bartlett, Les 210
bases, bomber see bomber bases
Bato, Joseph 139
Battle of the Atlantic 73, 79
Battle of Britain xxxv, 10, 14, 16, 41–2, 144, 201, 369
BBC 145
Beadle, Flight Sergeant D. J. 355
Beaver Club (London) 278
Beaverbrook, Lord 27
Beck, Pip 272
Beckers, Albert 120, 121, 122
Beetham, Michael 41, 188, 208, 210, 215, 219, 236, 387–8, 390
Bell, George (Bishop of Chichester) 142
Bennett, Air Vice Marshal Sir Don 46, 101
Berchtesgaden, bombing of 354–5
Berlin 135, 199–218
bombing of (1943) 145–7
bombing of by Americans (1945) 343
bombing disaster and loss of life (1941) 81–5, 86
bombing of in response to London raids 17
destruction of and impact of bombing xxix, 210, 211–12, 215, 356
drawbacks in bombing 135, 199
Berlin, Battle of (1943–44) 206–14, 286, 293–4, 298
aborted missions 217
aircraft destroyed 207, 212, 214, 216, 230, 286, 307–8
Harris’s plans for bombing 202
poor results 212, 215, 216–17, 307
preliminary raids 206
problems during 207, 208
Berry, Jim 37, 90, 135, 161, 171
Bettington, Group Captain Vere 35, 37
Big Week (1944) 316
Bilbey, Freddy 40–1
Billancourt (France)
bombing raid on Renault factory (1942) 87–8, 139
Birmingham, bombing of 21
Birnie, Bill 62–3, 349
Blackman, Frank 156, 258–9, 266–7, 280–7, 392
blast bombs 159
Blitz see German Blitz
Bochum 110–12
Bogarde, Dirk 384
bomb-aimers 49, 52, 57, 57–9, 60, 157, 173 see also bomber crew
bomber bases 256–67
banning of wives from 300
entertainment and music 264–6, 271
food on 259–60
life and conditions xl–xli, 154, 256–64
location 267
Bomber Command
achievement of xxvii, 380–1
area bombing doctrine 13, 71, 88–9, 94–5, 102, 113, 199, 200, 330, 331, 333, 340
assessment of contribution (1961) 373–4
attacks on French ports 104–5
attacks on V-weapon targets 323–4
and Battle of Berlin see Berlin, Battle of
Blitz as initial justification for campaign xxxiii
bombing of German towns 13, 113
bombing of Tirpitz 326–8
and Casablanca directive (1943) 105, 199, 202, 308, 381
change in modus operandi due to D-Day invasion preparations 307
changes in operational procedures under Harris 94–5
controversy over area bombing and criticism of 140–3
criticism of in peacetime xxvii, 372–3
and Dams Raid (1943) xxxii, 106–10, 183, 191, 200, 228
destruction of cities and mounting disquiet at conduct of (1945) 342–52
and Dresden campaign (1945) 138, 340–1, 342–3, 344–7, 350, 352–3, 376
fading of from public memory 384
films about 383–4
first ‘thousand’ raid against Cologne (1942) xxxix-xxxv, 98–100, 113, 116, 141
flying in relief supplies 357
focus of attack on civilian morale 74–6, 77
front-line groups 156
growth of xxxiv
initial bombing targets and duties 10–11, 14, 73
initial weaknesses 4
lack of recognition of in peacetime xxxii, 367, 368–70, 381
lack of success in first years of war 67, 73–4, 78, 79–80, 81
last raids of war 354–5
liberation of prisoners-of-war 358
media coverage of operations xxxiv-xxxv, 145–7
morale of 80, 157
mounting a raid and preparations 155–64, 160
new plan for bombing (1941) 77–9
night-flight raid routine 164–70
night-fighter escorts 318
number of airmen killed xxvi, xxxviii–xxxix, 389
number of bombs dropped (1944/45) 332–3
oil targets 324, 330–1, 333
operational loss rate 229–30
and Overlord operation 320–3
pattern of raids 170–7
personnel involved xxxiv
and Pointblank directive 200, 201–2, 308
propaganda value of operations xxxi-xxxii, 68, 145
questioning of achievement xxxvi-xxxvii
role in final phases of war 354
role outlined in Western Air Plans 10–11
shift away from policy of precision to
policy of annihilation 14–15, 17–18, 72, 74, 76–7
switching to daylight bombing question 317–19
targets 72, 73, 103, 104, 330, 333, 337
task of disrupting transportation links in preparation for D-Day 307, 308–9, 319–20
total number of bombs dropped 355
Bomber Command Association 387
bomber crew xxxv-xxxvi, 47–66
appeal of Bomber Command and reasons for joining 33–4, 36–8, 41–4
awarding of commissions 54–6
background of 35–6
‘crewing up’ 60–5, 182–3
dealing with fear 235–7
and death xxxix, 219, 220–6, 233–4
disciplining of 189–90
distinction between commissioned and non-commissioned ranks 187–9
establishment of limit on operations 226–7
feelings about bombing and reasons for fighting 130–40, 155, 378–9, 393
feelings over peacetime criticism towards 379–80
from the Dominions 33, 44–6
issuing of with escape kits 162
leave and visits home 276–9
life and conditions on bases xl-xli, 154, 256–66
love and romance 280–306
lucky charms and superstitions xxxix, 161–2
mounting a raid and preparations 155–64, 160
murder of by Germans on baling out 177–8
night-flight raid routine/experiences 164–81
numbers killed in operations xxvi, xxxviii-xxxix, 389
numbers killed in training 54, 219–20
off-duty nights out 267–71
as prisoners-of-war xxxviii, 358–64
problems encountered on missions xxxviii, 69–70
public and media impression of 144–7
recruitment and selection 34–6, 47–8, 49–50
relationships within 182–6, 198, 388
relationship with locals 275–6
relationship with pilots 195–8
relationship with squadron leaders 193–4
removal of weak links in 185–6
returning to base after raid 179–81
reunions after war 388–9
and sex 271–4
stress and break down of 238–55
survival rate and factors 230–1
training of 47, 48, 50–6, 60, 65–6
uniform 161
see also bomb-aimers; flight engineers; gunners; navigators; pilots; wireless operators
bomber stream 97–8, 172
bombers 49, 56, 77, 86
attempts to ban 8
introduction of four-engined 92–4
myth of self-protection 309
see also individual names
bombing of civilians and morale quest
ion 74–6, 77, 79, 142
controversy over morality of and criticism of xxxi, 140–2
gauging of effects by ‘index of activity’ 77
moral effect of 8, 15–16, 72, 74
public opinion on area 143–4
psychological effect of xxxvii
Bombing Research Unit 370
bombing run 173–4
bombs 159
blast 159
Grand Slam 93
Tallboy 321, 327, 328, 329
see also incendiaries
Bonn, bombing of 335–6
Bormann, J. A. 270
Bottomley, Air Vice-Marshal Norman 89, 341
Boulton Paul Overstrand 10
break down (of bomber crew) 238–55
and character 240, 248
during First World War 239
and LMF 65–6, 248–50, 251–2, 254–5
off-duty symptoms of stress 241–3
symptoms during operations 243–4, 251
Bremen, bombing of xxvi–xxvii, 80, 333
Brening, Franz 178
Brest 104
Bridgman, Anthony 1
Brize Norton Flying Training School 55
Broadley, Bill 228
Brooker, Ray 64
Brown, Ernest 27
Brunsbüttel 4
Brunswick, bombing raid on 335
Briars, Ralph 324, 326, 328–9
Buckley, Jack 183
Bufton, Group Captain Syd 101
Burnett, Squadron Leader 194
Butt, D. R. 78
Canada/Canadians 44–5, 52, 278
Capel, Flight Lieutenant ‘Cape’ 195
Carter, Wing Commander E. J. 253
Casablanca conference (1943) 105, 199
Casablanca directive 105, 199, 202, 308, 381
Cassidy, Jim 62
Catterall, Flying Officer R. 355
Chamberlain, Neville 1, 11
character and break down 240, 248
Charlwood, Don xxxviii, 45–6, 57, 154, 156–8, 171, 186–7, 193, 198, 223–4, 258, 263, 267–8, 269, 384–5, 391
Chase, Hadley
No Orchids for Miss Blandish 264
Chemnitz 343
Cherwell, Lord 78
Cheshire, Leonard 39, 40, 219, 391, 394
attack on railway tunnel at Samur 321, 328
background 44
bombing of aircraft factory at Toulouse 320
character and qualities 191–2
and Harris 91
homes set up xxxii, 391
improving bombing accuracy 320
last operational mission 324
and LMF cases 250
and writing 262
children killed in Germany by bombing 356
Church
criticism of area bombing policy 142
Churchill, Winston 7, 16, 48, 200, 319, 352
and attacks on Berlin 17
and Casablanca conference 105
and Dresden raid 352–3
and Harris 202, 339
questioning of area bombing (1945) 352
reaction to Bomber Command’s new bombing plan 78–9
victory speech xxxii, 367
view of bombing issue 78
civilians 12, 15, 381
bombing of and morale question 74–6, 77, 79, 142
death toll in Britain 13, 16, 74, 78
death toll in Germany xxvii, xxxiii, 13, 14, 113, 123, 127, 356–7
policy to avoid bombing 11
Clegg, Ella Ida 13
Cochrane, Ralph 108
Coleman, Les 24
Cologne 113–25, 335
anti-Nazi feeling in 114–15
bunker life 119
first thousand-bomber raid (1942) xxxix-xxxv, 98–100, 113, 116, 141
Klostersturm episode 114
Nazification of 114
numbers killed in bombing raids 118
public bunkers and private shelters 117–19
repression and deportation of Jews 115–17
St Peter and St Paul raid (1943) 113, 119–25
commissions, awarding of 54–6
Committee of Imperial Defence 6, 7
Coningsby 261, 265–6
Constantine, Air Vice-Marshal H. A. 350–1
corkscrew manoeuvre 167, 172, 205
court-martials 238–9
Cousens, Wing Commander A. G. S.
‘Pluto’ 186
Coventry 19–20
bombing of and destruction caused 7, 18, 19, 20–7, 26, 30, 99, 356
calls for retribution after bombing 30–1
impact of bombing 77
mood of people after bombing 26–7, 28–9
reporting of bombing by media 29–30
restoration attempts 27–8
weak defences 20–1
Coward, Noël 152
crew, bomber see bomber crews
‘crewing up’ 60–5, 182–3
Currie, Jack 61–2, 90, 152, 174, 180, 238–9, 247, 250–1, 270, 274, 392
Dambusters, The (film) 384
Dams Raid (1943) xxxii, 106–10, 183, 191, 200, 228
Daniell, Raymond 30
Darmstadt, bombing of 356
Dawn Patrol 38
D-Day invasion 307, 308, 319, 320–2, 380
Dean, Ken 266
decoy fires 68
Denain (France)
bombing of 137
desertion 238–9
Dickson, Sir William 379–80
Dimbleby, Richard 145–7
Directorate of Bomber Operations 77
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) 189
Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) 189
Dobson, Sergeant John 81–5, 264–5
Dominions 189
and Empire Air Training Scheme 52
recruitment of pilots from 33, 44–6
Donat, Robert 264
Dortmund, bombing of 113
Dortmund-Ems canal 328
Dowding 367
Dresden, bombing of (1945) 138, 340–1, 342–3, 344–7, 350, 352–3, 376
Duisburg, bombing of 170, 335
Dulag Luft camp 358–9
Düsseldorf, bombing of 140
Dye, Sergeant Bernard 133–4, 260, 277–8
Dyson, Dr Freeman 214, 230–1, 232, 247
Eaker, Brigadier-General Ira C. 201
Eakins, Rev. T. G. 144
early returns 227, 243–4
Eden, Anthony 30
Ederdam 107, 108–9, 110, 340
Eighth Air Force 200–1, 309, 312, 315, 316, 385, 386
Eisenhower, General Dwight 308, 330
Elliot, Alec 68
Elliott, Denholm 53, 103–4, 362
Elsham Wolds 258, 384–5
Embry, Basil 228
Emery, Neville ‘Bug’ 64, 184
Empire Air Training Scheme 52
engineers, flight see flight engineers
Esbjerg 4
Essen 17–18, 348
bombing raid on (1943) 148–51
bombing raids 106, 113, 333, 371
destruction of 370
impact of bombing on 370–2
Krupp factory 69–70, 106, 130, 370–1
Evans, Edith 264
Evill, Sir Douglas 343–4
Exodus Operation 358
Fairbanks, Douglas 52
Fairey Hendon 10
Falgate, Donald 58–9, 166–7
Fallowfield, Geoff 63
Faltham, Bert 84–5
Farquharson, Bill 42, 185–6, 233–4, 251, 346, 393
Fawke, Flight Lieutenant Gerry 321
Fayers, Regxl, 90–1, 132, 153, 154–5, 182, 187, 221, 233, 258, 260, 264, 183, 360, 364, 391, 394
Field, Dennis 19, 21–2, 24, 36–7, 48, 52, 54, 65, 165, 187–8, 258
Fighter Command xxxii, 47–8, 145, 184, 367, 369, 382–3
fighter escorts and USAAF 310, 314–17
First World War 6, 9, 36–7, 239, 357, 377, 389
Fischer, Friedrich 178
/> flak batteries 170, 205, 246, 324, 332
flak jackets 232
Flare Path (play) 151–2
flares 87
flight engineers 49, 59 see also bomber crew
Flying Fortresses 127, 206, 310
Focke-Wulf 190 315
Ford, Ken 64
Formby, George 271
Fortresses 200, 315
France
attack on ports 104–5
bombing of transportation targets in preparation for D-Day 308, 319–20
total number of civilians killed 356
Frankfurt, bombing of 67, 299
Frankland, Noble 47, 48, 57, 94, 205, 217, 374–5, 381–2, 383, 385, 392
Freiburg
bombing of 336, 340
death of young 356
freshman crews 157–8
Frings, Cardinal Joseph 115
Frow, Brian 36, 50, 54, 55–6, 9–100, 195, 221–3, 272–3
Fruehauf, Hans 22
G-H device 335–6
Galland, General Adolf 20, 317, 332
Gee, Des 64
Gee system 57, 91, 100
Gellhorn, Martha 147–8, 148, 67
George, King 30–1
German aircraft 205 see also individual names
German aircraft industry 329–30
German Blitz (1940–41) xxiii, xxxvii, 16–17, 42, 43, 74, 97, 133
German night-fighters 166, 167–8, 170, 203–6, 216, 217, 309, 316
Germany
death toll of xxvii, xxxiii, 13, 14, 113, 123, 127, 356–7
impact of bombing on xxix–xxx, xxxiii
invasion of Low Countries (1940) 12
radar system 166, 203, 309
system of decoy fires 68
Gibson, Guy xl, 39–41, 75–6, 91, 145, 160–1, 190–1, 220, 228–9, 233, 262, 265, 300, 384
character 191
and Dams Raid xxxii, 4, 106, 107, 108–9, 191, 228
death 229
leadership style 190–1
Gneisenau (warship) 73
Goebbels, Josef 97
Goodale, Brian 183
Goodchild, Ken 39, 177, 179–80
Gordon, Johnnie 263
Grand Slam bombs 93
Great Escape 358
Greenwood, Joan 264
Grieg, J. M. B. 145
gunners 59–60, 232 see also bomber crew
H2S radar 92, 206, 208
Halford, David 193–4
Halifax (aircraft) 10, 47, 49, 65, 86, 92–3, 94, 162, 207, 229, 231, 383, 410–1
Halsbury, Earl of 1944 (novel) 5–6
Hamburg
bombing raids on 30, 80, 126–9, 128, 202, 203, 204, 346
death of young 356
destruction ofxxx-xxxi, 356
Hampdens 2, 10, 49
Hampton, James 50, 257
Handley Page Harrow 10
Hannover, destruction of 356
Harris, Air Marshal Sir Arthur (Bert) xxxix, 88–91, 94–8, 174, 265, 370, 372, 375–8
advocate for area bombing and bombing of German cities 88–9, 94–5, 199, 200, 330, 331, 333, 340
anger at lack of post-war recognition of men 386
attempt to persuade post-war world of contribution of Bomber Command xxxvi-xxxvii, 375–6