Information on Luftwaffe bomber crews and tactics during Battle of Britain

[Dan History]

Dear members,

I am in the process of writing a magazine article discussing the activities of the Luftwaffe bomber force over Britain in 1940-41. I have a large amount of information to hand, but I don't have enough detail on the following topics that the magazine would like to have covered:

a) The training and societal background of bomber crew members
b) General information about missions flown, including take-off times and length of sorties
c) Tactics - the combat formations used, as well as the bombing and target marking techniques employed

Can members suggest accessible sources which contain this information? My article is intended for the educated general reader of military history, rather than Luftwaffe specialist, so the requirement should not be too difficult to meet.

Regards,

Dan

[Chris Goss]

Dan: Have a look at my books The Luftwaffe Bombers Battle of Britain and The Luftwaffe's Blitz and if you have any questions, PM me

[Dan History]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

Dan: Have a look at my books

Thank you for the source references, Chris. It will be a couple of weeks before I can access these, but I will do so and come back with questions. Which of your magazine article would you suggest are most relevant?

Regards,

Dan

[Chris Goss]

Dan-I have written so many articles it is hard to say but your question is quite specific & I don't recall writing anything along those lines

[Dan History]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

your question is quite specific & I don't recall writing anything along those lines

Chris, that's precisely why I asked the question on the forum It will be interesting to find information about these lesser known subjects.

Kind regards,

Dan

[Chris Goss]

Dan-having interviewed many bomber crews over the years, they came from a variety of backgrounds. Mission details are easier as are training, tactics, formations & target marking (& I have written about piräten attacks, Knickebein/x & y Gerät)

[Dan History]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

Dan-having interviewed many bomber crews over the years, they came from a variety of backgrounds. Mission details are easier as are training, tactics, formations & target marking (& I have written about piräten attacks, Knickebein/x & y Gerät)

That observation matches my impressions, Chris. For the subject of training, tactics, etc., do you suggest the books are the best source, or should I look at some of the articles, too?

Kind regards,

Dan