Originally Posted by
FlightlessParrot
...The case against Harris is that he persisted in area bombing ......... partly to demonstrate the power of an air force as the critical independent strategic power, rather than to win the war as quickly as possible.
I have read that he insisted that "his" bombers were used solely for strategic rather than tactical purposes even when elements of Bomber Command were highly capable of delivering precise attacks on specific targets. Hence on D-Day 617 Sqn were used for dropping Window to simulate a convoy across the Straits of Dover**, when possibly some tactical attacks on Normandy blockhouses with Tallboys might have saved many lives on Omaha and Utah beaches?
**And the aircrew were then told that this sortie did not count as an operational one for their tour!! Not sure if that got resolved satisfactorily.