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

[Franek Grabowski]

Bill
I cannot say anything about origin of those names. For me they were ever since. It is also a little bit lenghty subject. Nonetheless, to keep it short, such code names appeared in 1941, so no US link is possible.
Circus (ex-Sphere) was an operation, where main objective was to destroy enemy aircraft. Several Squadrons involved usually including bomber and fighter ones. Fighter Squadrons flew Sweeps, Forward & Rear Supports, High Covers, Escort Covers, Close Covers, Diversions, etc.
Ramrod was an operation where the objective was to hit a ground target, so it could have looked like Circus but also like an Armed Recce.
Roadstead was an attack against naval targets.
Rodeo (ex-Sweep) was a fighter sweep not linked to any other objectives.
Rhubarb (ex-Mosquito) was a straffing of targets of opportunity by small formations in a bad weather.
Low Free Ramrod was the same as above but with fighter escort.
Etc., etc.