[Ruy Horta]

Whatever the exact circumstances it is clear by the previous statement that there was some uncertainty with aircrew. At best it was an unclear order. Likewise if a similar directive had been issued by the OKL it would have been regarded as proof of intent, regardless if there had been a counter order. Generally everything on the ground was fair game if it remotely looked like a target (and anything besides if over Germany proper).

Besides there is little in RAF policy that puts such an order out of place. We are talking about the same general policy that aims at bombing the Germans back to the stone age. Strafing a civilian isn't different from bombing him.