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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.
_________________ James K "Switch on the underwater landing lights" Emilio Largo, Thunderball. www.VintageAeroWriter.com
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