Animated documentary of RAF Bomber Commands raids against the Ruhr from March to July 1943

[wokelly]

I'm working on a project to animate the RAF's night raids from March to July 1943. The Purpose is to show how the raids were planned and unfolded, and how the German night fighter defense system reacted. I was able to find a lot of primary sources and period maps to recreate the layout of the German radar night defense system, and Bomber Commands operational research reports on the raids so I can do a fairly decent recreation of how the pathfinding marking and mainforce bombing unfolded over the 30-60 minute bombing period. Theo Boiten's recent books on RAF losses allow me to show where the aircraft were being shot down along the route to and from the target, so you can see when and where the RAF losses were occurring as the raid progressed.

 

I put the first video out a few months ago and it covers the first five (of about 50) raids in March:

 

 

I also plan to fill out the series with some side videos which cover certain aspects not covered in the main episodes:

 

 

I'll add to this list as I make more videos.

Edited July 27, 2022 by wokelly

[busdriver]

Very nice graphics! I share your appreciation for Boiten’s latest project, I just got the last volume. Thanks for breaking out the Ruhr video into chapters because I simply don’t have an hour and twenty two minutes to watch it all at once. It will take me several sessions, but expect to watch it all.