Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Goss
I believe it was on or around 2 Sep 40 and came the RLM rather than Hitler
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Thank you Chris.
According to the interrogation report of Galland dated 3 September 1945, "one third of each Geschwader’s aircraft be used as fighter-bombers" during the Battle of Britain. So I believe it was an order by RLM. I said Hitler however because Galland continues in the same report saying "the fighter bomber attacks which figured in the last stage of the Battle of Britain were not terminated because of high losses, but because of the beginning of poor weather, which prevented the fighter bombers from seeing their targets. Moreover, the fighter bomber missions were not much liked by the fighters. Nevertheless there was, from this time on, an order from Hitler that all fighter aircraft must be manufactured and maintained in condition to drop bombs, and that pilots must be trained in bomb dropping. This order remained until the end of the war but fighter training for bomb dropping was naturally scanty".
Therefore, it looks like after the RLM order in the Battle of Britain, Hitler made an additional directive about "manufacturing" all fighters suitable with bombing missions. Galland may not remember it correct but I am wondering if such a directive of Hitler exists.
Thank you, Batur