Tag Archives: France

RAF Bomber Command dropped 1,882 tons of bombs on the centre of Le Havre

On 5 September 1944, 335 aircraft from RAF Bomber Command dropped 1,882 tons of bombs on the centre of Le Havre, aiming at a ‘troop concentration’ that was not there. Routine reconnaissance photos recorded the raid. ‘TI’s’ are Target Indicators. … Continue reading

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RAF Reconnaissance

RAF Reconnaissance produced a series of Tactical targets files for each of 37 sectors in Belgium and Northern France. The level of detail is shown by the page for the centre and port area of Le Havre. © Crown Copyright. … Continue reading

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French families who had suffered through Allied bombing

In what might appear an uncharacteristic initiative, Harris, as Commander-in-Chief of Bomber Command, asked for contributions from bomber crews to help French families who had suffered through Allied bombing – either after helping RAF airmen or after being hit. The … Continue reading

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Four days before the Normandy landings

Four days before the Normandy landings, Eisenhower instructed the air chiefs to minimise civilian casualties. His note preceded the three most intensive months of Allied bombing over France. © Crown Copyright. Courtesy The National Archives, AIR37.1012.

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Trenchant critique of the policy of bombing the Biscay ports

On 30 March 1943, the Commander-in-Chief of Bomber Command, Air Marshal Harris, delivered a trenchant critique of the policy of bombing the Biscay ports, which he considered to have been forced upon him by the Admiralty. His arguments contributed to … Continue reading

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The orders that sealed the fate of Lorient

The orders that sealed the fate of Lorient. The area bombing of the Biscay ports was ordered on 14 January 1943, with Lorient as the first target, even if the result was the ‘complete devastation of the inhabited areas of … Continue reading

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Warning the French?

Warning the French? In this note to British Foreign Minister Anthony Eden, the Air Minister, Sir Archie Sinclair, shows his reluctance to issue any warnings that would give away the target. © Crown Copyright. Courtesy The National Archives, AIR19.217.

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France under Allied Air Attack, 1940-1945

This web exhibition is devoted to the Allied bombing of France between 1940 and 1945. Although a number of French towns, such as Amiens and Abbeville, suffered badly at the hands of the Luftwaffe during the campaign of 1940, with … Continue reading

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