Originally Posted by
FlightlessParrot
... Perhaps because Harris didn't really believe in the [Chastise] operation?
According to Harris, bombing could win the war by flattening the major cities (area bombing). People promoting precision targets were just ‘panacea merchants’.
As an aside though, people (including Hastings) are apt to criticise Harris’ faith in area bombing. But up until fairly late in the war, area bombing was all that could realistically be achieved with the aircraft and nav. technology available.
Perhaps Harris’ major sin was that he refused to pay even lip service to a precision bombing strategy, as other air forces did.