
Churchill, Arthur Harris and Decisions to Bomb Germany
Did Winston Churchill influence the decision to bomb German cities so badly at end of World War II? What role did he have in appointing Sir Arthur “Bomber” Harris to lead Bomber Command? Did he give a secret order to “bomb the hell out of them”? Did he exhibit this attitude in his speeches? (Updated and reposted, 31 May 2018.)
“Bomb the hell out of them”General Harris was a military appointment, though supported by Churchill. For many months after Russia was attacked, bombing was the only “second front” Britain could offer. The Allies were losing everywhere and Stalin was clamoring for the Anglo-Americans to attack.…