Posted on Jun 25, 2017
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On this day in 1943, British bombers perform the first “shuttle bombing” raid of the war, attacking sites in Germany and Italy.
Taking off from airbases in Britain, bombers made for the southwestern German city of Friedrichshafen, at one time the home to Zeppelin airship construction. It now was the site of steel construction works, which were heavily damaged in the British attack. The Brits then flew, not back to Britain, but to airbases in Algeria. Refueled, they then headed north for the Italian naval base in La Spezia, in Liguria. This “shuttle” strategy enabled the bombers to kill two enemies with one operation-Bellicose.
The damage done to the steel works in Germany was so extensive that the assembly line had to be completely abandoned. Unbeknownst to Britain, that assembly line included the manufacture of more than just steel, but also new V2 rockets, to be spun out at the rate of 300 a month. The Brits unwittingly spared themselves retaliation-at least from V2s.
Taking off from airbases in Britain, bombers made for the southwestern German city of Friedrichshafen, at one time the home to Zeppelin airship construction. It now was the site of steel construction works, which were heavily damaged in the British attack. The Brits then flew, not back to Britain, but to airbases in Algeria. Refueled, they then headed north for the Italian naval base in La Spezia, in Liguria. This “shuttle” strategy enabled the bombers to kill two enemies with one operation-Bellicose.
The damage done to the steel works in Germany was so extensive that the assembly line had to be completely abandoned. Unbeknownst to Britain, that assembly line included the manufacture of more than just steel, but also new V2 rockets, to be spun out at the rate of 300 a month. The Brits unwittingly spared themselves retaliation-at least from V2s.
Britain launches Operation Bellicose - Jun 20, 1943 - HISTORY.com
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WWII World War Two
WWII World War Two
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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That sort of preventive first strike, even if unknown by the Allies at that time, is what the strategic bombers were all about. Taking out the means of war from your enemy protects your home base and keeps the enemy prostrate so as to receive a land blow from boots conquering that enemy that much more quickly. No air force can win a war alone for the enemy land mass must be conquered.
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Thanks for reminding us TSgt Joe C. that on June 20, 1943 British bombers performed the first “shuttle bombing” raid of the war, attacking sites in Germany and Italy.
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