During World War 2 on D-DAY why didn't we just send Planes to Destroy the 2 Bunkers?

Question

During World War 2 on D-DAY why didn't we just send Planes to Destroy the 2 Bunkers?

Answer 1

The bunkers in question are for the most part impervious to WW2 bombs save the super huge grand slam bombs. Bombers could only carry one at a time. An example of how tough these german built bunkers are just look at the ones used to hide U-Boats They were hit even with Grand slams and only once did the bomb penetrate and then only barely. The best way is to use the massive guns of Battleships unfortunately There were only 2 battleships available that day and they were firing on targets far inland so as not to cause friendly fire incidents.

Answer 2

The bunkers weer designed to take the bombs and ship to shore fire available at that time; they were bombed and shelled but they were strong enough to make it through.

Answer 3

We did bomb the bunkers.

But, in WW ll we didn't have the ability to do precision bombing.

We actually didn't gain that ability untill 1968 with the advent of the TV guided bombs.

Plus, the bombs used in WW ll were relatively small 500 lb bombs.

Not the best bomb to use on hardened bunkers.

Answer 4

Actually, it was done. Sadly, lot (if not all) of the bombs dropped by the heavy bomber (B-17 Flying Fortress & B-24 Liberator) felt beyond the bunker.

Why ? because the aircrafts arrived in a perpendicular line to the bunkers, to avoid a too long exposure time to anti-aircraft artillery (Flak). So, a very slightly miscalculed drop, or 0.2 second too late...and the bombs felt too long.

Also, the bunkers were very resistant, built from steel & concrete (meters & meters of reinforced concret)...You needed to score a direct hit from a very big caliber gun (such a naval gun of +300mm) to inflict real damage...and even there, only a part of the bunker was damaged.

It sad to say, but it was nearly impossible to destroy the bunkers using conventionnal weaponry; a direct infantry assault was suicidal at best but the only way to overcome the german defenses.

Tribute to the men who fought that day, God bless them.  

Answer 5

We did, and we bombarded the shoreline from ships - the bunkers were well buried and reinforced - and could survive direct hits.

Today we have laser guided, bunker buster bombs -