Introduction / Role of the Air Bomber
At a Chief of Air Staff's conference in March 1942 it was agreed that the title observer should be changed to navigator and that a "Bombardier" should be introduced.
The name Bombardier was changed to Air Bomber at a later conference in April 1942
I have yet to find a date when the first air bombers completed their training but I am guessing it was during the summer / autumn of 1942.
The air bombers role was(*):
"To guide the aircraft over the target, to identify the aiming point and to place the bombs accurately on it.
When not in the close vicinity of the target he was needed as a member of the navigation team, which also included the pilot and the navigator. With the latter he worked in the closest collaboration, providing him with visual pinpoints, and with astro or radar observations on the journey, in this way acting as the eyes of the navigator.
In addition to this secondary function, the air bomber helped to complete the meteorological report during the flight and it was his job to set up (and read) the astro compass.
If attacked by enemy aircraft he manned a gun, usually in the forward turret, and became part of the defence team"
Regards
Pete
(*) Source: WWII flying training monograph