The development of British strategic area bombing 1918-1945 : a study in theory and practice

Knott, S

Abstract

This thesis contends that it is only by studying the many issues
around which the doctrine of strategic bombing developed during the
inter-war period that an attempt can be made to achieve a clear
understanding of the controversial character of the area bombing
offensive against Germany during the Second World Var, including the
crucial issue of responsibility. It is the intention of this thesis,
therefore, to put the aerial campaign into its full historical
context.
The first part of this thesis will study the inter-war period and
illustrate how the theory of strategic bombing came under
fundamental influences and pressures. It will be shown how its
development became part of far reaching issues beyond the normal
sphere of military planning, including matters of both domestic and
foreign policy. This will facilitate a clear interpretation of the
factors which necessitated a further change in the doctrine once the
theory was put into practice.
In the second part of this thesis it will be seen how, largely as a
consequence of the issues involved in the development of strategic
bombing during the inter-war period, Britain entered the war with an
air policy based strictly on the principle of the immunity of
civilians from attack. By 1942, however, this principle had
apparently been abandoned. It will be illustrated that a combination
of factors, many the result of the inter-war period, forced the
Government to adopt a policy of area bombing. For the remainder of
the war Germany's civilian population became the objective for
attack. However, this was an extremely controversial change in
policy, to which the Government refused to admit throughout the war.
Therefore, it will be illustrated how, by the spring of 1945, when
victory in Europe was assured, the politicians attempted to
disassociate themselves from the area bombing policy and attach
responsibility to the Chiefs of Staff.

Citation

Knott, S. The development of British strategic area bombing 1918-1945 : a study in theory and practice. (Dissertation). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Dissertation
• Deposit Date: Jun 30, 2021
• Award Date: Jan 1, 1993