SZ/BSU - [Bombing Survey Unit]
Reference code
SZ/BSU
Level of description
Series
Title
[Bombing Survey Unit]
Date/s
1892
1942-1947
1962
1965
1975
1983
1942-1947
1962
1965
1975
1983
Quantity & Format
6 sub series
Subject
United Kingdom. Air Force. Bombing Survey Unit
Scope and content
This series documents the history and activities of the Bombing Survey Unit. The Unit was formed under the command of SZ to survey the effects of bombing on Sicily and Southern Italy and was formally established on 26/10/43. The series is divided into six sub-series: North Africa, Pantelleria, Operation Corkscrew, Sicily and Italy, Correspondence and memoranda, and Reports. Leading up to the establishment of the BSU and activities in Sicily and Southern Italy, SZ and Major Thomson investigate the effects of air operations in North Africa and Pantelleria.
At the end of January 1943 SZ and J.D. Bernal arrived in Tripoli, charged by the Air Staff with the task of studying the effects of allied bombing on the town and port and evaluating the bombing of road convoys. Within a month Bernal had been recalled to England and SZ completed the work on Tripoli alone, submitting his report in March 1943 on his return to England. In April he was back in the Middle East at the behest of Air Chief Marshal Tedder to make further studies, following the allied advance. This time he had an OEMU colleague, Ben Burns, to assist him.
In May operations against the island fortress of Pantelleria commenced, with heavy air bombardment the principal weapon. SZ was called in to assist in planning the air offensive as well as to analyse it. In June and July 1943 he was similarly engaged in planning air operations against Sicily. By this time he had been joined by Major A.P.D. (Sandy) Thomson, RAMC. After the allied capture of Sicily SZ succeeded in having his proposal for the establishment of a new operational research unit accepted. This was to become the Bombing Survey Unit, directed by SZ and formally established on 26.10.43. By that time the survey of the effects of bombing on Sicily and Southern Italy by a team recruited by SZ during a flying visit to England in August 1943 was already well under way. At the end of 1943 SZ was recalled to England to join the planning staff of AEAF and direction of BSU was handed over to E.C. Williams.
At the end of January 1943 SZ and J.D. Bernal arrived in Tripoli, charged by the Air Staff with the task of studying the effects of allied bombing on the town and port and evaluating the bombing of road convoys. Within a month Bernal had been recalled to England and SZ completed the work on Tripoli alone, submitting his report in March 1943 on his return to England. In April he was back in the Middle East at the behest of Air Chief Marshal Tedder to make further studies, following the allied advance. This time he had an OEMU colleague, Ben Burns, to assist him.
In May operations against the island fortress of Pantelleria commenced, with heavy air bombardment the principal weapon. SZ was called in to assist in planning the air offensive as well as to analyse it. In June and July 1943 he was similarly engaged in planning air operations against Sicily. By this time he had been joined by Major A.P.D. (Sandy) Thomson, RAMC. After the allied capture of Sicily SZ succeeded in having his proposal for the establishment of a new operational research unit accepted. This was to become the Bombing Survey Unit, directed by SZ and formally established on 26.10.43. By that time the survey of the effects of bombing on Sicily and Southern Italy by a team recruited by SZ during a flying visit to England in August 1943 was already well under way. At the end of 1943 SZ was recalled to England to join the planning staff of AEAF and direction of BSU was handed over to E.C. Williams.