In early 1945, ground-directed bombing was invented by Lt Col Reginald Clizbe, deputy commander of the 47th Bombardment Group (Light), using automatic tracking radar in Northern Italy for A-26C missions (e.g., in the Po Valley). Development was by a team that included Donald H. Falkingham (who was awarded the Air Medal) that modified radar plotting to transmit control commands to the pilot direction indicator (bomb release was eventually automated from the ground radar).
In early 1945, Lt Col Reginald Clizbe, deputy commander of the 47th Bombardment Group (Light), developed ground-directed bombing using automatic tracking radar in Northern Italy for A-26C missions. This was a significant development that involved Donald H. Falkingham, who received an Air Medal for his contributions. The team's work focused on modifying radar plotting to transmit control commands to the pilot's direction indicator, eventually automating bomb release from ground radar.