RAF and dive-bombing.

[tcolvin]

Yes, Juha, I agree.

But Sutherland's bombing of the BIMA building (aka Shell House) in the Hague, which is described, was genuine skip-bombing, with the bombs fused for 11seconds delay and dropped at 400mph from a height of 100ft onto the ground 300yards from the building.

However, the book (which is expensively produced and well-illustrated) contains dicey sentences which raise questions about the author's knowledge; "Typhoons and Tempests were legendary in their ground-attack support of the Allied armies in Europe, but much of this would be 'skip-bombing' and strafing with rockets and cannon rather than dive-bombing".

The Raymond Baxter quotation about maintaining a speed of 360mph in a 70 degree dive is a problem, and cannot be correct. Baxter's autobiography, 'Tales Of My Time', might clarify the matter. You can buy it for £1.20 from Amazon, but I'll get it from the library.

Tony

[SMF144]

Tony,

In spite of what appears to be a pissing match developing here, considering the argument is based on the recollection of ‘a’ veteran, this might be of interest to you.

A few snippets Taken from the Royal Air Force paper TC-33 “The Use of the Spitfire-Bomber (Bombfire), dated April 1943.

Introduction: As time goes on in this war we have been finding that aircraft have been subjected to all sorts of queer roles. The old idea of the Fighter being the destroyer of enemy bombers alone has changed, and we now find that we have to cope with anything from the heavily defended bomber down to the lightly defended motorized column. The fighter-bomber has proved itself to be worth its weight in gold and you, the Spitfire pilots, are about to use your aircraft in the role of the fighter-bomber. Set out below are certain points which you must familiarize yourselves with if you are going to cope effectively.

Methods of Attack: Spitfires cannot be used for precision high level bombing because of the enormous bombing errors involved, but with practice, accuracy can be achieved in dive and low level bombing. The methods of attack are as follows:

High Dive Bombing: …It will probably be found necessary to begin the attack off a turn, in order to lose sight of the target. The angle of (the) dive must not exceed 45 degrees in order to ensure that the bomb clears the airscrew bales and also to ensure that the bomb does not oscillate after release. The bomb should be aimed with the gun sight, and the nose of the aircraft must be eased up just before the bomb is released in order to allow for trail of the bomb.

Low Dive Bombing: This form of attack consists of a dive down to the minimum safety height for the type of bomb and fusing employed, the technique and angle of (the) dive being as given in sub-para (i) above, (which is High Dive Bombing)

Low Level Bombing: This form of attack is made from the minimum safety height for the type of bomb and fusing employed. It is usually delivered after an approach at nought feet…

In a supplement included with TC-33 entitled; Further Information on the Use of Fighter-Bombers (Spitfire and Whirlwind), here are few more snippets.

….When the target re-appeared behind the trailing edge, the bombers turned on to the target in a dive of about 75 degrees. They commenced pulling out at 13,000 feet.

Tactics used by No.249 Squadron:

The Officer Commanding No.249 Squadron, Krendi, states that the best results were ultimately obtained by using the following tactics:

…The resultant dive was 80-90 degrees. The bombs were released at 10,000 feet….


Tony, I am not sure what to make of your comment about 2nd T.A.F. not implementing dive-bombing. Surely, you must be joking? I hope you are.

Stephen