[Juha]

Hello Tony
yes, there were accuracy problems with 2TAF fighter bombers, there were times during Normandy fighting when infantry declined fighterbomber support because they thought that the safety margin of 400y was wide and relied on field artillery instead, which they had plenty in hand. But IIRC it was universal that safty margin of air support was wider than that of artillery, saying nothing on mortars.

IIRC Israelis concluded around 1950 that P-51 was more cost-effective CAS plane than Mossie.

IMHO there was lack of deep understanding of Germany’s electrical grid or there was even deeper understanding on the technical difficulties to implement the grid plan, otherwise it would have implemented. Power stations were rather high on target priority lists in 39-40 at least and in Aug 41 there was a big (54 Blenheims) daylight raid against 2 big power stations near Cologne. British also had first hand knowledge in late 41 on the effects on bombs on power grid and on power stations thanks for the LW. I know that British studied carefully the effects of LW bombing attacks and draw conclusions but cannot recall their conclusions on the effectiveness of attacks on power grid and on power stations. Still in 44 the Allied decided to give priority to transport network and oil targets not to power grid, they had some reasons for that and that wasn’t Harris, who see also those targets as diversions from his main job. But BC did what was ordered and hit the transport and oil targets.

There were constant debate on target priorities and all kinds of ideas were floated, if those who thought that the electricity was the key could have ability to convince their superiors that they had the key and it would be practical option, they would have had good chances to have their idea implemented, after all the dam raid was made, even if they needed much modified Lancs for it, new type of bomb, much special training for the crews etc.

Juha