Читать книгу Engineering Hitler's Downfall - Gwilym Roberts - Страница 50

The early days of the war were as harrowing in the air as on land and at sea. One air raid in late December 1939 was described in the Official History as a ‘disaster’, with over 50% of the aircraft lost, mostly to enemy fighters – an example of the difference between British and German aerial capabilities at that time. Lessons were learned, however, including the need for better radio communications and the recognition that losses incurred in night attacks were significantly lower than those in daylight raids.

From the start of the war the RAF had also been engaged in dropping propaganda leaflets over major German cities. While the RAF hierarchy correctly considered this to be of minimal value, they recognised that there were considerable training benefits. Crews were also instructed to observe anything of interest that could be seen on the ground below.