Dresden was a legitimate military target. There is a recent book on the subject. It was a major rail center for German army transport, a holding ground for troops, and had a multitude of machine shops and workshops for the manufacture of torpedo and missile guidance systems. Pattern bombing was the only feasible method for night bombing, as there were no visible landmarks. The firestorm was one of the few occasions where outcome resulted.
Old Bomber Harris sure did not operate by that rule. Think Dresden.
Dresden was a legitimate military target. There is a recent book on the subject. It was a major rail center for German army transport, a holding ground for troops, and had a multitude of machine shops and workshops for the manufacture of torpedo and missile guidance systems. Pattern bombing was the only feasible method for night bombing, as there were no visible landmarks. The firestorm was one of the few occasions where outcome resulted.