Opinions please (impact Allied fighter bombers on D-day)

[drgondog]

Laurent - what is your source for the 'derivative' of Ramrod as an English versus American slang word? I'm curious as the USAAF terminology in every microfilm history I have researched (40,000+ pages and 50 reels of microfilm) have Ramrod as singularly related to Fighter Group 'slang' for Bomber Escort - whether by Spitfire (4th/31st), Thunderbolt, Lightning or Mustang.

Circus as "large bomber escort mission" seems unique to 4th FG perhaps implying that Circus was an RAF derivative. Ditto for Rhubarb as slang for low level fighter sweep. I found zero references to either Circus or Rhubarb in the non 4th FG histories.

All the other Group histories I have read in the 8th AF used only Ramrod, Fighter Sweep and Area/Withdrawal/Penetration Support or Patrol as the prime descriptors of every mission

So how did the RAF derivative for Ramrod disconnect from Fighter Escort of a bomber mission to solely a bomber mission (presumably with no escort?).. and why/when did RAF extract such quaint American slang for a Texas Cattle Drive and apply it to their own bomber 'terminology'?

Please don't take this as confrontational as I really am curious

Regards,

Bill