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WW2 Allied bombing strategy
Few issues still divide opinions as much as the tactics employed by the RAF and USAAF during WW2. Whether debating the moral issue of utilising atomic weapons on Japan, or the firebombing tactics that were used by the RAF in Europe and the Americans in Japan, there is plenty to ponder.
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Daylight American bombing
How did the Americans overcome the problems of daylight bombing?
After the ‘Black Thursday’ operation against Schweinfurt the Americans needed to rethink their strategy of daylight bombing. Just what innovative solution did they find? Click here to read more in 'Daylight American bombing'.
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The decision to drop the bomb
Why did the Allies decide to drop nuclear bombs on Japan?
The decision to drop two nuclear bombs on Japan in August 1945 remains controversial. Why was it taken? Click here to read more in 'The decision to drop the bomb'. -
Nuclear bomb on Hiroshima
An American B-29 Superfortress, flown by Paul Tibbets and nicknamed ‘Enola Gay’ after his mother, dropped an atomic bomb over the city of Hiroshima about 500 miles south west of Tokyo. Click here to read more in 'Nuclear bomb on Hiroshima'.
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'Area' bombing
Why did the British start bombing civilians?
The RAF began the war with the policy of targeting enemy military or industrial targets. But then, early in 1942, that policy suddenly changed to embrace the deliberate destruction of civilians. Why? Click here to read more in ''Area' bombing'.
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Firebombing Japan
Why did the Americans use precision bombing in Europe and yet firebomb Japan?
In Europe the Americans consistently said they would bomb with ‘precision’, yet in the Pacific theatre they destroyed whole civilian communities. Why? Click here to read more in 'Firebombing Japan'. -
The bombing of Dresden
Why was the bombing of Dresden so controversial?
The morality of the Allied bombing campaign during the Second World War is still hotly debated. What should we feel about the decision to attack Dresden? Click here to read more in 'The bombing of Dresden'. -
Member of B29 Bomber Crew
Paul Montgomery
As a member of the crew of a B29 super fortress, he took part in the firebombing of Japan. Click here to read more in 'Member of B29 Bomber Crew'.
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Member of US bomber crew
Clarence Roundtree
Clarence Roundtree arrived in Britain in May 1944 as part of an American bomber crew with the US 8th Army Air Force. The daylight operations he and his comrades flew were some of the most dangerous of the war. Click here to read more in 'Member of US bomber crew'.
