[Homer_J_Simpson]

If you would like to be added to or deleted from the Real Time +/- 70 Years ping list, send me a freepmail. You can also search for these articles by the keyword realtime, going back to the first one on January 27, 2008. These articles are posted on the 70th anniversary of their original publication date. See my profile for additional information.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

While the air force was putting on its show . . . the foreign affairs subcommittee of the Cabinet was once more attempting to fight its way through the tangled thickets of the Anglo-French-Soviet negotiations. It had before it the latest report containing the Russian demands.

Nothing could be learned of their tenor, but by now these negotiations – with their claims and counter-claims, interpretations and reinterpretations and constructions and counter-constructions – have become so complicated that most of the day was spent trying to figure out just what the latest Russian reply was.

That Molotov is a great practical joker.

Also on this post: “Britain is Warned by Nazis on Flight.” Or, “Goering is not Amused.”

[ExGeeEye]

I wonder whether GB has 100 bombers today.

[The Great RJ]

I doubt the Brits today would have 100 planes to fly over France.

[BroJoeK]

"The heavy squadrons included big Wellingtons and Blenheims and smaller Battles and Hampdens, all carrying full crews of five or less..."

Wellington medium bomber:

Bristol Blenheim light bomber:

Fairey Battle light bomber:

Handley Page Hamden medium bomber:

The article describes these as the "heavy bombers," and does not seperately name those it called "medium bombers." Needless to say, "heavy" bombers in 1939 were no longer considered "heavy" by 1945. Indeed, the two engine Blenheim today is called a "light bomber".

Turns out, expectations in 1939 as to just what bombers could accomplish proved quite unrealistic. As late as 1942, most bombs didn't land within miles of their targets. And, more British airmen died on bombing missions than the Germans they were trying to bomb.