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German Luftwaffe Bomber Pilot, 1939-45

Strategic bombing in World War II began with the Luftwaffe and Germany’s blitzkrieg though Poland, 1 Sept. 1939. International law at that time did not forbid the aerial bombardment of cities even though such bombing had wreaked terrible havoc three years earlier during the Spanish Civil War (also conducted by a covert wing of the Luftwaffe, the Condor Legion). September 1940 brought the Blitz when Luftwaffe began targeting British cities. Germany’s long-range, strategic bomber program was never enthusiastically endorsed by Hermann Göring, commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe. Budgetary concerns also played a big role as four engine, heavy bombers were more costly to produce than medium, twin-engine tactical bombers.