[tcolvin]

Absolutely, Ruy.

But remember the AASF was an Advanced Air Striking Force with the strategic objective of knocking Germany out of the war by destroying the heavy industry in the Ruhr. It was answerable to BC and the Air Staff and was only stationed around Lille because of the Battle's short range.

The new policy of restricted bombing that came from FDR destroyed the AASF's raison d'etre since it could not be used against the Ruhr. The AASF was therefore used tactically in support of the BEF because it had nothing else to do and the RAF could not think of a reason for refusing it's use against the Meuse bridges.

BC wanted to avoid being in such a bind again, so rubbished the Battle as obsolescent, and concentrated on the heavies.

Tony