[Franek Grabowski]

Ruy

Since there is so much accumulated knowledge on this forum I had hoped for some hard fact of data, as in mission so and so on date so and so had civilian morale as its primary target, based on strategy, operational planning, bomb load etc.

Well, I cannot provide you with this. All I can do is to gather as detailed Polish info on German attacks as possible.

Why is it so hard to find such a similar mission for the Luftwaffe.

It is generally hard to find anything about Luftwaffe.

One point that casts doubt on Franek's thesis is choice of weapon, why Stukas when level bombers would be far more effective in causing as many civilians casualties as possible - the utlimate aim of terror bombing: civilian morale.

I agree but it raises another question, why bombing of 'military' targets was so inaccurate. I think explanation is quite different - the raid had to cause panic among civilians and to block movements on roads. Stuka's choice would not be a coincidence then. The aircraft had a siren, description of it may be found in a virtually every account from Polish Campaign.

At one point there came a strategic shift in thinking where maximizing civilians casualties and the destruction of housing became a primary military objective and German civilian morale a strategic target (judging by the collapse of 1918 not an altogether silly concept). When military and science worked hard to maximize the effect of bombs on civilian housing etc etc etc.
This case is just helpful to define a clear framework - civilians as primary target - supported by theory, planning and execution.
I am certain that you can find such defined examples in German operations, from the Blitz to Jabo raids over Britain.

The question is if the paperwork still exists. Anyway, I think first civilian target hit by aerial bombing was London attacked by Zeppelins during WWI.

David

I feel that we all have the benefit of hindsight, weren't actually there, not everything said at meetings or briefings would be recorded (as now) so we may never have full documentary proof anyway. There does come a time when we have to agree to differ until some new evidence comes to light, or until we have time to calmly sit back and re-assess that currently available.

You are absolutelly right, not everything is recorded and not everyrecord survived up until today.

It is unfortunate in time of war that civilians on the other side are still considered as ' the enemy ' and that somewhere along the line they have an input to the war economy / production and could very easily be seen as an indirect militarily justifiable target, however flimsy that connection could be.

Well, in a modern war industry became major military factor. The war was won not on battlefield but in factories.

By the way, I see there is plenty of room for research for our British colleagues. I would love to see any study on German attacks on British civilian population, straffing, as well as shootingn at bailing out airman.

Marius

Indeed a very interesting question. But see, Frampol was bombed on the 13th September. German troops (the frontline) were nearby and the city was taken a few hours later.

There was not even a road through the city, not to mention a railway station. Bombing was done from 1000m at 200 km/h. It does not look like an attack on a target of any military value.

I am sure the attack was made to support ground troops. Similar to the attack on Wielun on 1.9.

This is your belief and let's it stay this way.

The question is why somebody should make an experiment - destroying a town which a few hours later fell in German hands? Completely unlogical. The same questions concerning Wielun and Warsaw.

To test new weapons or new tactics. Completely logical.

Could somebody show a German document describing such experimental attacks?

The photos were published by Harry Hahnewald, who was an photo analytic in 4 Lfl. It was his claim the attack was an experiment. Interestingly, von Loehr, commander of Lfl 4 was hanged in Yugoslavia for war crimes including attack on Belgrade.

Could somebody mention a Polish town which was a civilian target without any doubt?

In your understanding - no.