A little "bomber Command" Question.

[FAFG_Xav]

Does anybody know how did the british heavies operate during a bomb run ?

I'd especially like to know if , during aiming, the "bombardment officer" took the controls of the plane (like in a B-17 for example) or if he gave vocal instructions to the pilot.

Thanks in advance for your answers !

[JDK]

In the RAF's heavies*, the bomb aimer directed the pilot verbally in corrections of course, using his bombsight, then released the bombs as desired at the aiming point. Also, unlike the USAAF, it was rare (if ever) for there to be bombing on leader's signal, almost always, and always at night, each aircraft bombed separately.

The process was famous to my generation from films like The Dam Busters** and One of Our Aircraft Is Missing etc, where the bomb aimer would call "left, left, steady, right, steady, steady ... bombs gone!"

In later war efforts, they would have to continue to hold course, after the drop, until the bombs had arrived, and an automatic flare and photograph took an image of the location, to establish accuracy and effect data.

HTH!

*Whitley, Wellington, Lancaster, Stirling & Halifax, as well as lighter types when used for medium / high level bombing in Europe, such as Hampden, Boston etc.

**Obviously the dropping of the bombs in the Dam Busters was a specialised, different process, but based on the standard practice of pilot directed by bomb aimer.

[gary1954]

"Left..left...i say a little more left ole man...My...you fly this kite like a little ole school marm..."

[JDK]

Let's see if Taigh adds something on the 'left / right' corrections debate...

[FAFG_Xav]

thank you for your answers !!!!