Transport Plan
The Transportation Plan was a plan for strategic bombing during World War II against bridges, rail centres, including marshalling yards and repair shops in France with the goal of limiting the German military response to the invasion of France in June 1944.
The plan was based on those of Air Marshal Tedder and the "Overlord air plan" of Air Chief Marshal Leigh-Mallory, The plan was devised by Professor Solly Zuckerman, an advisor to the Air Ministry, to destroy transportation in Occupied France during the "preparatory period" for Operation Overlord so Germany would be unable to respond effectively to the invasion.
The air campaign, carried out by the bombers of the RAF and USAAF crippled the German rail networks in France and played a crucial role in disrupting German logistics and reinforcements to the invasion area.
Plan and operations
RAF Bomber Command Marshal Arthur Harris did not want to divert his bomber force away from their strategic campaign against German industry. However, he resigned himself early on to supporting Overlord as early as 17 February 1944 while his force was engaged in the bombing campaign against Berlin.On 6 March 1944, Charles Portal ordered attacks on the marshalling yards at Trappes, Aulnoye, Le Mans, Amiens, Lougeau, Courtrai and Laon. Control of all air operations was transferred to Eisenhower on 14 April at noon.
Attacks made under the Transportation Plan
| Date | Target | Notes | - |
| Le Mans railway yards | 304 RAF bombers attacked Le Mans. | - | |
| Le Mans | Repeat attack on Le Mans by 222 RAF bombers. | - | |
| Amiens | 140 RAF aircraft | - | |
| Laon railway yards | 143 RAF aircraft but attack stopped half-way through. The bombing had little effect. | - | |
| Aulnoyne railway yards | 192 RAF aircraft | - | |
| Hamm, Germany | 800 bombers attacked railroad marshalling yards in Hamm, Germany. |