The Initial Bombing by Britain and Germany's Response

Contrary to common belief, Britain indeed bombed Germany first during World War II. The first bombing raid took place on September 4, 1939, when the Royal Air Force (RAF) attacked a German warship in Wilhelmshaven. This operation was part of a strategic effort by Britain to disrupt German military operations and infrastructure at the outset of the war.

Germany’s Early Air Raids in Poland and Beyond

Germany’s aggression did not stop at Poland. They expanded their bombing campaigns to other territories, including Spain during the Spanish Civil War, as well as the Netherlands and Yugoslavia. In Poland, on September 1, 1939, Germany began their invasion, and Britain was well aware of their potential to carry out air raids, having experienced the destruction of Guernica by Nazi forces in 1937.

The British Strategy and the Christmas Blitz of 1941

The British extended their bombing campaigns against Germany notably during the Battle of Britain in 1940. They intensified these raids to target German cities and industrial sites. One such notable event was the Christmas Blitz of 1941. As a resident of Salford, Manchester, the author vividly remembers the air raid alert and the shelter in the backyard where everyone took cover.

Significant Raids and Casualties

Germany launched their first bombing campaign against British cities in September 1940, focusing particularly on London and Coventry. Britain retaliated, with the first RAF raid on the interior of Germany occurring on May 15, 1940, a month before the Fall of France. Interestingly, the first British raid on Berlin resulted in a single casualty—the elephant at the Berlin Zoo.

Implications and Controversies

The author reflects on the moral implications of bombing, particularly the impact on women and children. Describing Britain as a "terrible country" for involving Polish pilots in the defense and supporting the French, the author voices deep concern about the indiscriminate killing of civilians. They raise a provocative question: what if Germany had won World War II? Would our world be in a better or worse state? This debate highlights the ethical complexities of wartime operations.

Overall, the historical events surrounding the initial bombings by Britain and Germany during World War II continue to be subjects of contention and discussion. They serve as a reminder of the devastating consequences of such actions and the importance of considering the moral and ethical implications of military strategy.