Good post.

I have this idea/memory/illusion or whatever it is that Harris (arriving on the scene after this time, ie after the survey) came to the conclusion that the only effective way to hit the enemy was area bombing. Accurate, large volume area bombing would have been an oymoron to Harris – when he started. But of course over time Bomber Command became much more proficient at placing all/most of their bombloads more-or-less in one place. Target marking improved, so did the general bombing accuracy, and the sheer volume, and the destructiion. The original rationale for area bombing become less pertinent, but the strategy never wavered.

All through this bear in mind, on all sides of the various theatres, the bomber was a key way of striking the enemy and an object of loathing to the defender. Brave men all, on all sides.