BomberHarris and Strategic Bombing

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“Was Strategic Bombing By Bomber Harris Morally Justifiable?”

I am undecided as to whether or not strategic bombing by Bomber Harris was morally justifiable. To support my answer, I am going to look at who Bomber Harris was and what strategic bombing is. I am also going to look at  why he chose this method and also at what he hoped to achieve by using this method before I come to my conclusion as to whether or not it is morally justifiable.  

During the early part of the war, Bomber Command had several commanders, however in February 1942 Air Marshal Sir Arthur Harris took over. He was to become one of the most controversial figures of World War Two. He remained Commander-in-Chief of the Bomber Command from 1942 to 1945 and was nicknamed “Bomber” by the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. Bomber Harris is most noted for his decision to use strategic bombing in the war effort.

There are two types of bombing. Namely, tactical and strategic bombing. Tactical bombing refers to to combined operations, for example the airforce supporting the infantry on the ground. Strategic bombing refers to the use of independent air power to defeat an enemy state as well as referring to the wider picture, destroying the enemy's morale being an example in this case. It was also believed that  long-range bombing raids had the potential to force the enemy to surrender because the bombers would always get through.

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The idea of the bombers always getting through came about during the Spanish Civil War which took place from 1936 to 1939. The Germans supported General Franco and Hitler sent the Luftwaffe to aid the fascists. It was suggested that a German Condor Legion should be formed to fight in the Spanish Civil War. The initial force consisted of a Bomber Group of three squadrons of Ju-52 bombers, a Fighter Group with three squadrons of He-51 fighters, a Reconnaissance Group with two squadrons consisting of He-70 bombers and He-70 reconnaissance bombers and finally, a Seaplane Squadron which consisted of ...

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