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Bombing the Reich (September 1940 - May 1945)

Bombing the Reich (September 1940 - May 1945)

Strategic bombing during World War II is a term which refers to all aerial bombardment of a strategic nature between 1939 and 1945 involving any nations engaged in World War II. This includes the bombing of military forces, railways, harbors, cities (civilian areas), and industrial areas.

In 1939, Germany invaded Poland and the Luftwaffe (German air force) began providing tactical support to the German Army. The Luftwaffe also began eliminating strategic objectives and bombing cities in Poland. France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany and the UK's Royal Air Force began attacking German warships along the German coast with the North Sea. Meanwhile, the German bombing of Poland became an indiscriminate and unrestricted aerial bombardment campaign.

As the war continued to expand, bombing by both the Axis and Allied powers increased significantly. Military and industrial installations were targeted, but so were cities and civilian populations. Targeting cities and civilians was viewed as a psychological weapon to break the enemy's will to fight. From 1940-1941, Germany used this weapon in its 'Blitz' against Britain. From 1940 onward, the intensity of the British bombing campaign against Germany became less restrictive, increasingly targeting industrial sites and eventually, civilian areas. By 1943, the United States had significantly reinforced these efforts. The controversial firebombings of Hamburg (1943), Dresden (1945) and other German cities followed. The effect of strategic bombing varied depending on duration and intensity. Both the Luftwaffe and RAF failed to deliver a knockout blow by destroying enemy morale. However, strategic bombing of military targets could significantly reduce enemy industrial capacity and production.

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RAF Hawker Typhoon Mk. Ib Ground Attack Aircraft - Squadron Leader B. G. Stapleton, No. 247 Squadron, 1944 RAF Hawker Typhoon Mk. Ib Ground Attack Aircraft - Squadron Leader B. G. Stapleton, No.247 Squadron, 1944 (1:72 Scale)

The Typhoon was a British single-seat strike fighter, produced by Hawker Aviation starting in 1941. Intended as a replacement for the Hawker Hurricane in the interceptor role, it suffered from performance problems, but eventually evolved into one of World War II's most successful ground attack aircraft.

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RAF Handley Page Halifax B Mk. III Heavy Bomber - "Sleepy Gal", No.192 Squadron RAF Handley Page Halifax B Mk. III Heavy Bomber - "Sleepy Gal, No.192 Squadron (1:144 Scale)

The Handley Page Halifax was one of the British front-line, four-engine heavy bombers of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. A contemporary of the famous Avro Lancaster, the Halifax remained in service until the end of the war, performing a variety of duties in addition to bombing. The Halifax was also operated by squadrons of the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force and Polish Air Force.

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Vickers Wellington Mk. IC Medium Bomber - No.11 Operational Training Unit, RAF Bassingbourn, 1940 RAF Vickers Wellington Mk. IC Medium Bomber - No.11 Operational Training Unit, RAF Bassingbourn, 1940 (1:144 Scale)

The twin-engine Wellington was the mainstay of Bomber Command until 1942, when the four-engine heavy bombers entered service. The Wellington prototype took to the air for the first time in June 1936 and production models entered service with the Royal Air Force in October 1938.

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RAF Douglas Dakota II Troop Transport - No.267 Squadron RAF Douglas Dakota II Troop Transport - No.267 Squadron (1:144 Scale)

The C-47 was one of the most succesful aircraft ever, praised by General Eisenhower as one of the most important instruments of victory in WWII. Largely a military version of the highly successful Douglas DC-3 passenger aircraft, the C-47 Dakota carried supplies, airborne troops, and other personnel in all of the theaters of conflict in WWII.

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RAF Martin Marauder Mk.I Medium Bomber - "Dominion Revenge," No.14 Squadron, Africa, 1942 RAF Martin Marauder Mk.I Medium Bomber - "Dominion Revenge," No.14 Squadron, Africa, 1942 (1:144 Scale)

The Martin B-26 Marauder was one of the most controversial American combat aircraft of the Second World War. It was primarily used in Europe, and was in fact numerically the most important USAAF medium bomber used in that theatre of action. However, on four occasions, investigation boards had met to decide if the development and production of the Marauder should continue.

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RCAF Lockheed Hudson Coastal Reconnaissance Aircraft - No.11 Bomber Reconnaissance (BR) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force Eastern Air Command, Torbay, Newfoundland, 1942 RCAF Lockheed Hudson Coastal Reconnaissance Aircraft - No.11 Bomber Reconnaissance (BR) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force Eastern Air Command, Torbay, Newfoundland, 1942 (1:144 Scale)

The Lockheed Hudson was an American-built light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and primarily operated by the RAF thereafter.

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RAF Hawker Typhoon Mk. I Ground Attack Aircraft - No.121 Squadron, RAF Holmsley South, England, 1944 RAF Hawker Typhoon Mk. I Ground Attack Aircraft - No.121 Squadron, RAF Holmsley South, England, 1944 (1:72 Scale)

The Typhoon was a British single-seat strike fighter, produced by Hawker Aviation starting in 1941. Intended as a replacement for the Hawker Hurricane in the interceptor role, it suffered from performance problems, but eventually evolved into one of World War II's most successful ground attack aircraft.

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RAF Hawker Typhoon Mk. Ib Ground Attack Aircraft - No.198 Squadron, Battle of the Falaise Pocket, France, 1944 [With Collector Magazine] RAF Hawker Typhoon Mk. Ib Ground Attack Aircraft - No.198 Squadron, Battle of the Falaise Pocket, France, 1944 [With Collector Magazine] (1:72 Scale)

The Typhoon was a British single-seat strike fighter, produced by Hawker Aviation starting in 1941. Intended as a replacement for the Hawker Hurricane in the interceptor role, it suffered from performance problems, but eventually evolved into one of World War II's most successful ground attack aircraft.

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RAF Boulton Paul Mk. 1 Defiant Fighter - EW-K, 307 (Polish) Squadron, RAF Clyst, Honiton, England, 1941 RAF Boulton Paul Mk. 1 Defiant Fighter - EW-K, 307 (Polish) Squadron, RAF Clyst, Honiton, England, 1941 (1:72 Scale)

The Boulton Paul Defiant was a result of an Air Ministry specification (F.9/35) issued before the onset of WWII. It was a low-wing, cantilever monoplane, two-seat fighter of all-metal construction, with retractable landing gear, looking not unlike the Hurricane.

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USAAF Martin B-26B Marauder Medium Bomber - Shootin In, 556th Bombardment Squadron, 387th Bombardment Group "Tiger Tails", Germany, 1945 USAAF Martin B-26B Marauder Medium Bomber - "Shootin' In", 556th Bombardment Squadron, 387th Bombardment Group "Tiger Tails", Germany, 1945 (1:72 Scale)

The Martin B-26 Marauder was one of the most controversial American combat aircraft of the Second World War. It was primarily used in Europe, and was in fact numerically the most important USAAF medium bomber used in that theatre of action. However, on four occasions, investigation boards had met to decide if the development and production of the Marauder should continue.

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USAAF Martin B-26B Marauder Medium Bomber - The Big Hairy Bird, 599th Bombardment Squadron, 397th Bombardment Group, France, 1944 USAAF Martin B-26B Marauder Medium Bomber - "The Big Hairy Bird", 599th Bombardment Squadron, 397th Bombardment Group, France, 1944 (1:72 Scale)

The Martin B-26 Marauder was one of the most controversial American combat aircraft of the Second World War. It was primarily used in Europe, and was in fact numerically the most important USAAF medium bomber used in that theatre of action. However, on four occasions, investigation boards had met to decide if the development and production of the Marauder should continue.

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US Army Air Force Douglas A-26B Invader Light Attack Bomber - Stinky, 552nd Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group, Beaumont-sur-Oise, France, 1945 US Army Air Force Douglas A-26B Invader Light Attack Bomber - "Stinky," 552nd Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group, Beaumont-sur-Oise, France, 1945 (1:72 Scale)

The Douglas A-26 Invader (B-26 between 1948–1965) was a United States twin-engined light attack bomber built by the Douglas Aircraft Co. during World War II that also saw service during several of the Cold War's major conflicts.

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US Army Air Force Douglas A-26B Invader Light Attack Bomber - 670th Bomb Squadron, 416th Bomb Group, France, 1945 US Army Air Force Douglas A-26B Invader Light Attack Bomber - 670th Bomb Squadron, 416th Bomb Group, France, 1945 (1:72 Scale)

The Douglas A-26 Invader (B-26 between 1948 - 1965) was a United States twin-engined light attack bomber built by the Douglas Aircraft Co. during World War II that also saw service during several of the Cold War's major conflicts.

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US Army Air Force Douglas A-20G Havoc Light Attack Bomber - "La France Libre", 668th Bombardment Squadron, 416th Bombardment Group, France, 1944 US Army Air Force Douglas A-20G Havoc Light Attack Bomber - "La France Libre", 668th Bombardment Squadron, 416th Bombardment Group, France, 1944 (1:72 Scale)

The Douglas A-20/DB-7 Havoc was a family of American attack, light bomber and night fighter aircraft of World War II, that served with several Allied air forces, principally those of the Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and United States.

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RAF Bristol Blenheim Mk. I Light Bomber - Arthur Scarf VC, No. 62 Squadron, Butterworth, Penang, Malaya, 1941 RAF Bristol Blenheim Mk. I Light Bomber - Arthur Scarf VC, No. 62 Squadron, Butterworth, Penang, Malaya, 1941 (1:72 Scale)

Bristol Aeroplane's Blenheim was a British high-speed light bomber used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was later adapted into a successful heavy fighter. A Canadian-made variant named the Bolingbroke was used as an anti-Submarine and training aircraft.

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RAF Douglas Boston Mk.IV Light Attack Bomber - BZ507/Y, No.18 Squadron, Italy, 1944-45 RAF Douglas Boston Mk.IV Light Attack Bomber - BZ507/Y, No.18 Squadron, Italy, 1944-45 (1:72 Scale)

The Douglas A-20/DB-7 Havoc was a family of American attack, light bomber and night fighter aircraft of World War II, that served with several Allied air forces, principally those of the Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and United States.

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Free French Air Force Douglas Boston Mk.IV Light Attack Bomber - 342 Lorraine Squadron, B-50 Vitry-en-Artois, France, 1944 Free French Air Force Douglas Boston Mk.IV Light Attack Bomber - 342 Lorraine Squadron, B-50 Vitry-en-Artois, France, 1944 (1:72 Scale)

The Douglas A-20/DB-7 Havoc was a family of American attack, light bomber and night fighter aircraft of World War II, that served with several Allied air forces, principally those of the Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and United States.

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RAF Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV Light Bomber - "Operation Wreckage," Hughie Idwal Edwards VC, No.105 Squadron, RAF Swanton Morley, 1941 RAF Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV Light Bomber - "Operation Wreckage," Hughie Idwal Edwards VC, No.105 Squadron, RAF Swanton Morley, 1941 (1:72 Scale)

Bristol Aeroplane's Blenheim was a British high-speed light bomber used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was later adapted into a successful heavy fighter. A Canadian-made variant named the Bolingbroke was used as an anti-Submarine and training aircraft.

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RAF Bristol Blenheim Mk. I Light Bomber - L6739 (G-BPIV), The Imperial War Museum, Duxford Airfield, 2015 RAF Bristol Blenheim Mk. I Light Bomber - L6739 (G-BPIV), The Imperial War Museum, Duxford Airfield, 2015 (1:72 Scale)

Bristol Aeroplane's Blenheim was a British high-speed light bomber used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was later adapted into a successful heavy fighter. A Canadian-made variant named the Bolingbroke was used as an anti-Submarine and training aircraft.

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US Army Air Force Douglas A-26B Invader Light Attack Bomber - 89th Bomb Squadron, 3rd Bomb Group, August 1945 US Army Air Force Douglas A-26B Invader Light Attack Bomber - 89th Bomb Squadron, 3rd Bomb Group, August 1945 (1:72 Scale)

The Douglas A-26 Invader (B-26 between 1948 - 1965) was a United States twin-engined light attack bomber built by the Douglas Aircraft Co. during World War II that also saw service during several of the Cold War's major conflicts.

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RAF Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV Light Bomber - R3843/WV-F, "F for Freddie", No.18 Squadron, "Operation Leg", RAF Watton, Norfolk, August 1941 RAF Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV Light Bomber - R3843/WV-F, "F for Freddie", No.18 Squadron, "Operation Leg", RAF Watton, Norfolk, August 1941 (1:72 Scale)

Bristol Aeroplane's Blenheim was a British high-speed light bomber used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was later adapted into a successful heavy fighter. A Canadian-made variant named the Bolingbroke was used as an anti-Submarine and training aircraft.

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RAF Douglas Boston Mk.IV Light Attack Bomber - BZ405, No.88 Squadron, RAF Hartford Bridge, Hampshire, England, 1944 RAF Douglas Boston Mk.IV Light Attack Bomber - BZ405, No.88 Squadron, RAF Hartford Bridge, Hampshire, England, 1944 (1:72 Scale)

The Douglas A-20/DB-7 Havoc was a family of American attack, light bomber and night fighter aircraft of World War II, that served with several Allied air forces, principally those of the Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and United States.

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RAF Bristol Blenheim Mk. IVF Night Fighter - G-BPIV, Z5722 / WM-Z Spirit of "Britain First", Duxford Airfield, May 28th, 1993 RAF Bristol Blenheim Mk. IVF Night Fighter - G-BPIV, Z5722 / WM-Z Spirit of "Britain First", Duxford Airfield, May 28th, 1993 (1:72 Scale)

Bristol Aeroplane's Blenheim was a British high-speed light bomber used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was later adapted into a successful heavy fighter. A Canadian-made variant named the Bolingbroke was used as an anti-Submarine and training aircraft.

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German Junkers Ju 88A Medium-Bomber - 4D+GM, 4/Kampfgeschwader 30, Lister, March 1943 German Junkers Ju 88A Medium-Bomber - 4D+GM, 4/Kampfgeschwader 30, Lister, March 1943 (1:72 Scale)

The Luftwaffe's Junkers Ju 88 was a twin-engine, multi-role aircraft. Among the most versatile planes of the war, it was used as a bomber, close-support aircraft, nightfighter, torpedo bomber and reconnaissance aircraft.

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USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber - A Bit O Lace, 709th Bombardment Squadron, 447th Bombardment Group, Rattlesden, Norfolk, 1945 USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber - "A Bit O' Lace", 709th Bombardment Squadron, 447th Bombardment Group, Rattlesden, Norfolk, April 1945 (1:72 Scale)

The B-17, arguably World War II's most famous heavy bomber, first flew on July 28, 1935, before a crowd of reporters eager to see Boeing's new bomber take wing. It was dubbed the "Flying Fortress" by the members of the press in attendance because of its (at least for the time) heavy defensive armament.

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USAAF Boeing B-17G-30-BO Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber - "Nine-O-Nine", 323rd Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, Bassingbourn, England, 1944 USAAF Boeing B-17G-30-BO Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber - "Nine-O-Nine", 323rd Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, Bassingbourn, England, 1944 (1:72 Scale)

The B-17, arguably World War II's most famous heavy bomber, first flew on July 28, 1935, before a crowd of reporters eager to see Boeing's new bomber take wing. It was dubbed the "Flying Fortress" by the members of the press in attendance because of its (at least for the time) heavy defensive armament.

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RAF North American B-25 Mk. II Mitchell Bomber - No. 180 Squadron, Northwest Europe, 1943 RAF North American B-25 Mk. II Mitchell Bomber - No. 180 Squadron, Northwest Europe, 1943 (1:72 Scale)

Built by North American, with no previous experience on multi-engined aircraft, the B-25 Mitchell proved to be one of the most versatile combat aircraft to see action in World War II. So impressed with what they saw on the drawing board, the USAAC ordered 184 aircraft -- to be designated the B-25 -- before metal had even been cut on a revised design.

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USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber - A Bit O Lace, 709th Bombardment Squadron, 447th Bombardment Group, Rattlesden, Norfolk, 1945 USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber - "A Bit O' Lace", 709th Bombardment Squadron, 447th Bombardment Group, Rattlesden, Norfolk, 1945 (1:72 Scale)

The B-17, arguably World War II's most famous heavy bomber, first flew on July 28, 1935, before a crowd of reporters eager to see Boeing's new bomber take wing. It was dubbed the "Flying Fortress" by the members of the press in attendance because of its (at least for the time) heavy defensive armament.

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RAF Hawker Hurricane Mk. II Fighter - Karel Kuttelwascher, Night Reaper, No.1(F) Squadron, RAF Tangmere, England, 1942 RAF Hawker Hurricane Mk. II Fighter - Karel Kuttelwascher, "Night Reaper", No.1(F) Squadron, RAF Tangmere, England, 1942 (1:32 Scale)

The Hawker Hurricane was the first monoplane to join the Royal Air Force as a fighter aircraft, capable of reaching speeds in excess of 300-mph in level flight. Often compared with the sleek-looking Supermarine Spitfire, the Hurricane, in actuality, shouldered the brunt of the fighting during the "Battle of Britain", equipping more than three-fifths of the RAF's Fighter Command squadrons.

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USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber - "Swamp Fire", 524th Bombardment Squadron, 379th Bombardment Group, Kimbolton, England, 1944-45 USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber - "Swamp Fire", 524th Bombardment Squadron, 379th Bombardment Group, Kimbolton, England, 1944-45 (1:72 Scale)

The B-17, arguably World War II's most famous heavy bomber, first flew on July 28, 1935, before a crowd of reporters eager to see Boeing's new bomber take wing. It was dubbed the "Flying Fortress" by the members of the press in attendance because of its (at least for the time) heavy defensive armament.

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