From
Eisenhower Library, file 102, 'Spaatz. C'
24 August 1944 SUBJECT: "THUNDERCLAP" TO: General Dwight D. Eisenhower,
Supreme Commander
Allied Expeditionary Force, APO 757 1. I have received from the
Air Ministry a plan entitled
"THUNDERCLAP". This
plan envisages the complete destruction of
the administrative centre of Berlin, an
area of two and one-half square miles, by
5,000 tons of H.E. bombs dropped by the
Eighth Air Force visually in daylight
followed by a similar weight of attack on
Berlin by the R.A.F. at night. This blow
is aimed at enemy morale and would not be
delivered until the time is considered
ripe. Operationally the plan is feasible
in suitable weather. 2. The U.S. bombing policy,
as you know, has been directed against
precision military objectives, and not
morale. I am opposed to this operation as
now planned. We are prepared to
participate in an operation against
Berlin, but in so doing will select
targets for attack of military
importance. ( sgd) CARL SPAATZ Lieutenant General, U.S.A.,
Commanding.
|
From SHAEF Advance C.P.
Office of the Supreme Commander, 28 August 1944 to Lt.General Carl Spaatz, Hqs,
United States Strategic Air Forces in
Europe,
AP0 633, U.S. Army. The operation under discussion
[THUNDERCLAP]
is one that is to take place only under a
very special set of circumstances. While I
have always insisted that U.S. Strategic
Air Forces be directed against precision
targets, I am always prepared to take part
in anything that gives real promise to
ending the war quickly. The policies under
which you are now operating will be
unchanged unless in my opinion an
opportunity arises where a sudden and
devastating blow may have an incalculable
result. (over) Please bring this paper to me for
discussion when you return from the
Mediterranean. DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
General, U. S. Army |
David Irving: 
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Irving