SZ/AEAF/6/9 - Interruption of enemy rail communications to the battle area by Strategical bombing in the period prior to D Day

Reference code

SZ/AEAF/6/9

Level of description

Item

Title

Interruption of enemy rail communications to the battle area by Strategical bombing in the period prior to D Day

Date/s

1944

Quantity & Format

5 pp.

Scope and content

The paper puts forward proposals for operations by US Air Force day heavy bombers in direct support of Operation Overlord on D Day and for the following five weeks. It states that the best contribution will be in hampering and delaying "to the maximum possible extent the movements of the enemy divisions already in France". Referring to a tactical plan in preparation the paper rejects "two familiar forms of bombing attack on railways" - attacks on open lines and in marshalling yards - in favour of attacks on railway bridges. A list of suggested targets in France headed "Bridges" is included.

Headed "Appendix C" and annotated circa 1974 in MS by SZ "Possibly Bufton's stable".

SZ - Zuckerman Archive
- SZ/AEAF - [Allied Expeditionary Air Force]
  - SZ/AEAF/6 - U.S.T.A.F. [United States Strategic and Tactical Air Forces]. USTAF and EOU comments and counter-comments
    - SZ/AEAF/6/9 - Interruption of enemy rail communications to the battle area by Strategical bombing in the period prior to D Day

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