Information on Luftwaffe bomber crews and tactics during Battle of Britain
 

Dear members,

I am in the process of writing a magazine article discussing the activities of the Luftwaffe bomber force over Britain in 1940-41. I have a large amount of information to hand, but I don't have enough detail on the following topics that the magazine would like to have covered:

a) The training and societal background of bomber crew members
b) General information about missions flown, including take-off times and length of sorties
c) Tactics - the combat formations used, as well as the bombing and target marking techniques employed

Can members suggest accessible sources which contain this information? My article is intended for the educated general reader of military history, rather than Luftwaffe specialist, so the requirement should not be too difficult to meet.

Regards,

Dan

Re: Information on Luftwaffe bomber crews and tactics during Battle of Britain
 

Dan: Have a look at my books The Luftwaffe Bombers Battle of Britain and The Luftwaffe's Blitz and if you have any questions, PM me

Re: Information on Luftwaffe bomber crews and tactics during Battle of Britain
 

Thank you for the source references, Chris. It will be a couple of weeks before I can access these, but I will do so and come back with questions. Which of your magazine article would you suggest are most relevant?

Regards,

Dan

Re: Information on Luftwaffe bomber crews and tactics during Battle of Britain
 

Dan-I have written so many articles it is hard to say but your question is quite specific & I don't recall writing anything along those lines

Re: Information on Luftwaffe bomber crews and tactics during Battle of Britain
 

Chris, that's precisely why I asked the question on the forum :) It will be interesting to find information about these lesser known subjects.

Kind regards,

Dan

Re: Information on Luftwaffe bomber crews and tactics during Battle of Britain
 

Dan-having interviewed many bomber crews over the years, they came from a variety of backgrounds. Mission details are easier as are training, tactics, formations & target marking (& I have written about piräten attacks, Knickebein/x & y Gerät)

Re: Information on Luftwaffe bomber crews and tactics during Battle of Britain
 

That observation matches my impressions, Chris. For the subject of training, tactics, etc., do you suggest the books are the best source, or should I look at some of the articles, too?

Kind regards,

Dan