Steve – got the time to watch my copy last night.
Overall a very well presented veteran interview study.
Bomber Command is a very broad topic with a great many side streets that could be explored.
I had wanted a programme that presented a balanced review of what Bomber Command undertook. In this I did not have my expectations met.
for example:
You had a voice clip from Harris- that Germany was an experiment for Strategic Bombing. I did not get a conclusion on this.
There was no balance that German aircraft research and production was diverted to Night Fighter and Intercept aircraft. So reduction in 4 engine heavy bomber development with obvious consequences.
There was no comment that a high percentage of aircraft were held back for defence of the Reich or that a high proportion of 88mm guns and men were also held back from the front.
Overall Strategic Bombing was a failed experiment but the resources diverted saved a lot of ground soldier lives which is partly what Harris always wanted.
On Dresden – no mention that it was also a request from Stalin to ease his Eastern Front.
Or that the three great firestorm raids were in effect accidents – the same approach was used as in many other raids – that the specific result was a factor of the buildings and the weather.
Finally no mention that the USAAF copied the approach in Japan with far more devastating results – before the atom bombs.
My conclusion enjoyable but not what I expected.
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