in WW2, why do Allies use their heavy bombers for to support their ground forces?

Question

Despite the fact it was useful for combat and to destroy enemy positions to support allied ground forces, the allied heavy bombers not only killed the enemy but it killed even loads of friendlies in there as well.

I mean i think the highest ranking victim(i forget his name) was killed by friendly fire during the Normandy campaign. What are heavy bombers are used for to support ground forces despite the fact it killed a lot of friendlies? Should the heavies been used to carpet bomb cities and leave allied troops out of the way instead then to move in? What about fighter planes? were they useful? Sorry if i'm not making any sense but i'm trying to understand WW2 tactics here.

Anyone knows?

Answer 1

Because of the impotence that the Normandy landings succeed the military planers insisted on using every resource at their disposal to soften up the German positions. Due to the technology of the day that meant collateral damage. This was considered acceptable at the time. With today's technology it would not be considered acceptable, but then with today's technology the same mission could be accomplished without as much collateral damage.

Answer 2

Friendly fire happens in war.



Heavy bombers were rarely used to support ground operations. There were a few instances in the Normandy campaign such as Caan but those really are the exception. Most ground support came from medium tactical bombers (B-25, B26, A-20, Mosquito) and tactical fighters (Typhoon, P-47).

Answer 3

churchill and others in charge didnt want to use bombers against german ground troops, they wanted to keep hitting cities and nazi factories ... only in support of the normandy invasion did they use bombers to support the landings - under much protest.

Answer 4

what? EXAMPLE, if they killed friendlys iT cant be avoided because it saves more than not issueing a bomb run on certain areas. Like if they are bein overrun and need heavy bombs to stop them or slow them down. until reinforcements comE.



how old are you? lmao were the fighter planes useful?