The Pathfinders

As part of the effort to improve bombing accuracy, a specialised target-finding force was formed in 1942, made up of generally more experienced crews. The idea was that the Pathfinders would fly ahead of the main bomber stream and use the most modern technology available to locate and mark the target with coloured flares in order to help less experienced and less well-equipped crews to bomb as accurately as possible.

The role of ‘Master Bomber’ was also developed. An experienced senior pilot would circle the target throughout the raid, giving instructions by radio to approaching bombers as to which part of the target, marked with coloured flares, to aim at. This highly dangerous task was invaluable in maintaining accurate bombing even when the target and markers became obscured by smoke and flames, or when the Germans lit decoy flares away from the correct aiming point.

These techniques, together with advances in navigation technology, helped turn Bomber Command into a striking force of awesome power that the German High Command were forced to counter with defensive measures involving nearly one million men.

On each raid, Bomber Command aircraft ran a deadly gauntlet of flak (anti-aircraft) guns and enemy fighters. In the darkness an RAF bomber on a 500 or 600 aircraft raid might see no other bombers until it was too late - collisions were an ever-present danger as the RAF developed its technique of swamping enemy defences with hundreds of aircraft, guided to the target by the Pathfinders.