Strategic bombing Bomber

the sikorsky ilya muromets, strategic heavy bomber.



british handley page type o, 1918

bombing raids , interdiction operations carried out french , british forces during war german air arm forced concentrate resources on defensive strategy. notably, bombing campaigns formed part of british offensive @ battle of neuve chapelle in 1915, royal flying corps squadrons attacking german railway stations in attempt hinder logistical supply of german army. early, improvised attempts @ bombing characterized part of war gave way more organized , systematic approach strategic , tactical bombing, pioneered various air power strategists of entente, major hugh trenchard; first advocate there should ... sustained [strategic bombing] attacks view interrupting enemy s railway communications ... in conjunction main operations of allied armies.

when war started, bombing crude (hand-held bombs thrown on side) yet end of war long-range bombers equipped complex mechanical bombing computers being built, designed carry large loads destroy enemy industrial targets. important bombers used in world war french breguet 14, british de havilland dh-4, german albatros c.iii , russian sikorsky ilya muromets. russian sikorsky ilya muromets, first four-engine bomber equip dedicated strategic bombing unit during world war i. heavy bomber unrivaled in stages of war, central powers had no comparable aircraft until later.

long range bombing raids carried out @ night multi-engine biplanes such gotha g.iv (whose name synonymous multi-engine german bombers) , later handley page type o; majority of bombing done single-engined biplanes 1 or 2 crew members flying short distances attack enemy lines , immediate hinterland. effectiveness of bomber dependent on weight , accuracy of bomb load, ever larger bombers developed starting in world war i, while considerable money spent developing suitable bombsights.