Harris and Bomber Command

The words

1. Air Marshal

   Air Marshal Sir Arthur Harris took command of Bomber Command on February 22, 1942, with responsibility for directing the RAF’s expanding offensive against Germany.

   RAF Museum: the 1942 aviation timeline (opens a new tab) · RAF history: the 1942 bomber offensive (opens a new tab)

2. Area Bombing

   The February 1942 directive targeted civilian morale, particularly industrial workers. Aiming at built-up districts put homes and residents within the planned area of attack.

   Ch. VII, the February directive and aiming points · RAF history: the 1942 bomber offensive (opens a new tab)

3. Blockbuster

   Blockbusters were high-capacity blast bombs used in attacks on built-up areas. Their blast damage helped incendiary bombs start fires that could spread through a wide area.

   RAF Museum: bomber offensive and weapons (opens a new tab) · IWM record: HC bombs (Commons copy) (opens a new tab)

4. Bomber Command

   Bomber Command brought together RAF and Commonwealth crews, including Australians in mixed-nationality units. They attacked industrial centers and cities, suffering heavy aircrew losses.

   Crews and operations · War Memorial: Bomber Command’s crews (opens a new tab)

5. Butcher

   According to biographer Henry Probert, some media called Harris “Butcher,” while his aircrews widely used “Butch.” He distinguished these from the media’s “Bomber” nickname.

   Journal 31, p. 121, Probert’s answer to Bernard Fitch · Probert: Harris’s nicknames (opens a new tab)

6. Cologne

   The May 30–31, 1942, raid sent a large bomber force against Cologne. The city’s report recorded deaths, injuries and widespread homelessness after the bombing.

   Ch. VII, the Cologne raid and German damage report · RAF history: the 1942 bomber offensive (opens a new tab)

7. Dehousing

   Dehousing sought to weaken civilian morale by destroying homes. Built-up districts became aiming points, placing workers and their families in danger.

   Evangelista: bombing and civilian homes (opens a new tab) · RAF history: the 1942 bomber offensive (opens a new tab)

8. Gomorrah

   Gomorrah named the bombing campaign against Hamburg in July and August 1943. British night raids and American daylight attacks devastated the city and killed civilians.

   The Hamburg campaign and its human consequences · WWII Museum: the Hamburg bombing campaign (opens a new tab)

9. Hamburg

   The attacks on Hamburg produced a firestorm in densely built districts. Thousands of residents died, and many others lost their homes or fled the city.

   Ch. I, the Hamburg attacks and firestorm · RAF history: area attacks in 1943 (opens a new tab)

10. Harris

    Harris directed the city-bombing offensive as Bomber Command’s leader. The RAF Museum identifies civilian deaths and aircrew losses as central to the campaign’s continuing controversy.

    Printed p. 41 (PDF p. 42), Arthur Harris · RAF Museum: bomber offensive and weapons (opens a new tab)

11. High Wycombe

    Bomber Command’s headquarters stood in beech woods near High Wycombe. The Air Ministry wanted a site close to London that was difficult to spot from the air.

    Station history, the 1938 search for a headquarters · RAF: the High Wycombe headquarters (opens a new tab)

12. Millennium

    Millennium named the mass raid on Cologne in May 1942. The force combined front-line aircraft with machines drawn from training groups.

    Did you know?

    The force included Wellingtons, Whitleys and Hampdens alongside newer Stirlings, Halifaxes, Manchesters and Lancasters.

    RAF Museum: the 1942 aviation timeline (opens a new tab) · RAF history: the 1942 bomber offensive (opens a new tab)

13. Night Bombing

    Heavy losses in early daylight raids led the RAF to concentrate on night bombing. Darkness reduced visibility for defenders but also made finding the intended targets difficult.

    Printed p. 9 (PDF p. 10), the RAF bomber offensive · RAF Museum: bomber offensive and weapons (opens a new tab)

14. Night Strikes

    German night fighters used airborne radar to find bombers in the darkness. Searchlights and antiaircraft guns added to the dangers during attacks over Germany.

    Ch. I, German night defenses · RAF history: area attacks in 1943 (opens a new tab)

15. Pathfinder

    The Pathfinder Force marked targets for the main bomber stream. Formed in August 1942, its crews dropped flares to help following aircraft find the aiming area.

    RAF Museum: the 1942 aviation timeline (opens a new tab) · RAF Museum: bomber offensive and weapons (opens a new tab)