Luftwaffe directive to make fighters ready for bombing missions

[bavgan]

Does anybody know the number and date of the directive which states that all Luftwaffe fighter aircraft must be manufactured and maintained ready to drop bombs and all pilots must be trained in bombing? I believe it was a Luftwaffe directive released after Hitler's orders.

Regards, Batur

[Chris Goss]

I believe it was on or around 2 Sep 40 and came the RLM rather than Hitler

[bavgan]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

I believe it was on or around 2 Sep 40 and came the RLM rather than Hitler

Thank you Chris.

According to the interrogation report of Galland dated 3 September 1945, "one third of each Geschwader’s aircraft be used as fighter-bombers" during the Battle of Britain. So I believe it was an order by RLM. I said Hitler however because Galland continues in the same report saying "the fighter bomber attacks which figured in the last stage of the Battle of Britain were not terminated because of high losses, but because of the beginning of poor weather, which prevented the fighter bombers from seeing their targets. Moreover, the fighter bomber missions were not much liked by the fighters. Nevertheless there was, from this time on, an order from Hitler that all fighter aircraft must be manufactured and maintained in condition to drop bombs, and that pilots must be trained in bomb dropping. This order remained until the end of the war but fighter training for bomb dropping was naturally scanty".

Therefore, it looks like after the RLM order in the Battle of Britain, Hitler made an additional directive about "manufacturing" all fighters suitable with bombing missions. Galland may not remember it correct but I am wondering if such a directive of Hitler exists.

Thank you, Batur

[Chris Goss]

You might get a better idea from my book Luftwaffe Fighter-Bombers over Britain?

[bavgan]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

You might get a better idea from my book Luftwaffe Fighter-Bombers over Britain?

Thanks. Does your book include the full text or numbers & dates of the RLM directives or Hitler's orders that I am looking for?

Regards, Batur

[Chris Goss]

No as the book is about the story of Jabos over UK 1940-1943

[bavgan]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

No as the book is about the story of Jabos over UK 1940-1943

Thanks anyway. I have your article about tip and run tactics published at RAF Historical Society journal.

Regards, Batur

[Chris Goss]

That was actually my dissertation for my MA which I developed into a book