, marked the end of the pre-war bombing policy; it was undoubtedly the most important turning-point in Bomber Command's war. The Hampdens and Wellingtons were now diverted to night bombing and, except for a very few occasions, they and the more modem types of bomber which would succeed them would fly only by night for the next four years. Only the Blenheims of 2 Group were retained as a permanent day-bomber force, a role which would sometimes bring them heavy casualties, even in the limited radius within which they operated. These tactical rules would continue through the remainder of the Norwegian campaign and for long afterwards.
That campaign would be over within a month. Daylight raids continued when possible but were only successful when weather conditions were favourable. The Blenheims were not allowed to proceed when there was no cloud cover in which they could seek shelter if German fighters appeared and, when they did proceed, they could not find their targets if the cloud was too low. Most of the effort in the later Stages was by night. Night casualties were not heavy but bombing results were poor. This was the dilemma posed by the failure of the self-defending bomber policy.
The strength and organization of Bomber Command remained almost unchanged during this period. One new squadron starting its operational life, with a Wellington raid on Stavanger airfield on 17/19 April, was 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, the first Bomber Command squadron with a direct link with one of the Dominions. The groups never operated at full strength; the conservation policy was still in effect. Even on the major daylight operation of 12 April, less than one third of aircraft available were dispatched. Only two squadrons of 2 Group - 107 and 110- took part in the Norwegian campaign; these squadrons moved north to fly from Lossiemouth in Scotland, leaving the remainder of the group in East Anglia to face a German invasion of France and the Low Countries expected to take place any day. The command of 2 Group changed during this period, Air Vice-Marshal J. M. Robb taking over from Air Vice-Marshal Maclean, and Bomber Command itself received a new commander-in-chief a few days before the Germans invaded Denmark and Norway when Air Marshal Sir Charles Portal took over from Air Chief Marshal Ludlow-Hewitt. Both of these replacements were routine ones and were not a reflection upon the qualities of the outgoing commanders.
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SHIPPING IN SKAGERRAK AND KATTEGAT
23 Whitleys and 20 Hampdens; 4 aircraft attacked ships at various locations between Kiel Bay and Oslo. 1 Whitley scored a direct hit on a ship which was believed to be an ammunition ship and which appeared to explode. 1 Whitley lost.
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SHIPPING AT STAVANGER
83 aircraft - 36 Wellingtons, 24 Hampdens, 23 Blenheims - to attack shipping. Intense Flak and fighter opposition was met. 6 Hampdens and 3 Wellingtons lost. German radio admitted the loss of 5 fighters. The Blenheim formations were not attacked by German fighters.
This was the largest bombing operation of the war so far. It was also the last major daylight raid for Hampdens and Wellingtons.
