4. The Battle of Britain changed the bombing campaign for the duration of the war
Herman Goering, Commander of the German Luftwaffe, issued a General Order for the conduct of the Battle of Britain on June 30, 1940. It included the admonishment, “It is also stressed that every effort should be made to avoid unnecessary loss of life amongst the civilian population.” Targets for bombing were limited to “destructive attacks against industry and air force targets which have weak defensive forces”. The Germans bombed airbases and docks, as well as ships in port. Hitler wanted the battle limited because he believed he could convince the British to accept a negotiated peace. Churchill had no intention of making peace with the Nazi dictator.
On August 24 German bombers, off course and at night, dropped their bombs in London. It gave Churchill the opening he needed. The following night British bombers attacked Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport and Siemenstadt. They displayed their usual accuracy, and the raids on both areas were widespread, with civilian casualties in neighborhoods surrounding the assigned targets. Tempelhof was but lightly damaged. Hitler reacted with outrage, and ordered the terror bombing of London and other British cities known to history as the Blitz. Churchill ordered the RAF to step up bombing raids on German cities in the Ruhr, as well as Berlin.
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