Yes agreed, but that leaves some awkward questions and problems for the RAF.

I think we can agree that French Command are going to be asking for all the help they can get?
Ditto British Command will not only want to help the French as much as possible, but be SEEN to helping them, for both internal/external propaganda and political reasons.

But this restriction on RAF bombers makes it very hard for them to actually DO anything, even within the limited ability they have.

Now it is my understanding that the primary German lines of communication to the French Front will be across the Rhine between Luxembourg and the Swiss border and with rail as the most vital element (all pretty obvious). This is not bad news, BC's Wellington/Whitley force can reach that far, and targets on rivers are a lot easier for them to find. So that is the heavy element of the campaign covered, instead of hitting Berlin with leaflets they are trying to hit Rhine bridges by night (and may they have a lot of luck) or more likely aiming for the railyards in towns on the German side of the river.

But it leaves the Light Bomber element out of range, and largely excluded from land transport targets within their reach.

Ports and Coastal Shipping.

I think we can assume the Germans WILL try to move as much as possible by sea to relieve pressure on the rail system. I'm not sure if there is much potential to directly support front line operations from the French Atlantic coast. But every little bit helps and if they can only support their occupation garrisons along the coast it still eases pressure on the railway system. So this means Coastal Command Hampton's and Beauforts have a bit of work. However by daylight they are going to be restricted to the narrows where they can have a fighter escort, and since this is also where the LW are trying to to hit British shipping AND the principal battlefield between the LW and Fighter Command, it looks a bit hairy to me. By night, well they don't have ASV radar yet, and I don't believe the Chain Home stations would be much help either, so it down to look outs and flares, again not a recipe for great success IMHO, or not without a lot of development time. On the other had there's a good opening there for the RN to get some mine laying in. In any case there is an opening to bomb ports, but again the casualty issue makes things difficult.

Imah is there some possibility of a compromise on civilian casualties here? It is perfectly reasonable to make every effort to avoid French civilian casualties, but at the same time that restriction severely limits the help Britain can provide to France. Could the French agree, or suggest themselves, that certain targets CAN be bombed regardless of risk to civilians? This approximates the case OTL as I understand it.

shane

Rule .303
Shoot straight, you bastards.

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