Q&A · 2:32:09-2:32:37

Why guided weapons did not immediately end dive bombing

Postwar glide bombs reduced the need for steep dives, but aircraft retained dive-bombing strength and capability much longer than a simple replacement story suggests.

Question

Did rockets and guided weapons replace dive bombers during or immediately after the Second World War?

Short answer

Not immediately. Guided glide weapons reduced the need for the tactic, but aircraft retained dive-bombing capability for much longer.

Notes

A viewer asks whether rockets and guided weapons replaced dive bombers. Postwar glide bombs and guidance reduced the need to make the delivery aircraft dive directly at a target. That change did not make dive bombing disappear at once. Aircraft continued to be designed with enough structural strength to perform diving attacks well after the Second World War.