WW2 bombing

"Bernardz" wrote in message
news:MPG.1a6d2554f613933989840@news...
Say I dropped 1000 tones over a long period of time in a city in the
region 50 square kilometers.

Does anyone know of any tables or formulas that can tell me how
effective in WW2 air bombing of a city would reasonably be?

Also any information on the effect of over hitting would be appreciated.


The problem is the effects are highly dependent on the city and when
in WW2 this was to happen. Consider the differences between the
raids on Hamburg and Cologne with those on Berlin. Hamburg
and Cologne were both easier to find at night and the buildings
more densely packed than Berlin. The technique for destroying a
city was to smash open buildings with HE and then set them alight
with incendiaries. The greater densities meant a higher fuel load
per surface area which was what was needed to start a fire storm.

A number of studies on this subject were done post war, see

U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey, Physical Damage Division,
Effects of Incendiary Bomb Attacks on Japan, a Report on Eight Cities
(n.p., April 1947)

On Hamburg, see Postol, "Possible Fatalities from Superfires,"
and "The Fire Attacks on German Cities," by Horatio Bond as well as
Fire and the Air War (Boston: National Fire Protection Association, 1946)

Keith

In article ,
says...

"Bernardz" wrote in message
news:MPG.1a6d2554f613933989840@news...
Say I dropped 1000 tones over a long period of time in a city in the
region 50 square kilometers.

Does anyone know of any tables or formulas that can tell me how
effective in WW2 air bombing of a city would reasonably be?

Also any information on the effect of over hitting would be appreciated.


The problem is the effects are highly dependent on the city and when
in WW2 this was to happen. Consider the differences between the
raids on Hamburg and Cologne with those on Berlin. Hamburg
and Cologne were both easier to find at night and the buildings
more densely packed than Berlin. The technique for destroying a
city was to smash open buildings with HE and then set them alight
with incendiaries. The greater densities meant a higher fuel load
per surface area which was what was needed to start a fire storm.

A number of studies on this subject were done post war, see

U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey, Physical Damage Division,
Effects of Incendiary Bomb Attacks on Japan, a Report on Eight Cities
(n.p., April 1947)

On Hamburg, see Postol, "Possible Fatalities from Superfires,"
and "The Fire Attacks on German Cities," by Horatio Bond as well as
Fire and the Air War (Boston: National Fire Protection Association, 1946)

Keith








This is with a high volume of bombs. I was thinking of much lower rate
of fire.

In 1944 scientist calculated that to achieve a 50% devastation in a city
area of one square mile with a 600 yards aiming error required 250 tones
of bombs. 80% required 600 tones.

Any guess how big a bomb each would be, that they were referring too?

Basically is there anyway of calculating the size of the blast and
devastation knowing the power of a bomb in a typical city.


--
Should the government be responsible for individual's stupidity?

30th observation of Bernard

"Bernardz" wrote in message
news:MPG.1a6e8750246e2a66989846@news...
In article ,
says...



This is with a high volume of bombs. I was thinking of much lower rate
of fire.

In 1944 scientist calculated that to achieve a 50% devastation in a city
area of one square mile with a 600 yards aiming error required 250 tones
of bombs. 80% required 600 tones.


I'd suggest this was overly optimistic

Any guess how big a bomb each would be, that they were referring too?


How could I , not having seen the article ?

Basically is there anyway of calculating the size of the blast and
devastation knowing the power of a bomb in a typical city.


I doubt it as there are too many variables. Consider the
very different damage patterns for Hiroshima and Nagasaki
as an example.

I suggest you follow up the references I gave you as they are based
on post war surveys they are likley to be more accurate than anything
published in war time.

Keith