<p>This also annoyed Churchill. He thought it better if the USAAF would join the RAF in night bombing, which by then was producing good results. But General Eaker convinced the Prime Minister otherwise, when the two met at the strategic Casablanca Conference in January 1943. Eaker said that the RAF by night and the USAAF by day could "... bomb the devils around the clock." Churchill liked the phraseology as much as the idea, and changed his mind about the best use of the USAAF.
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<p>The concept of a combined bomber offensive against Germany, flown by both the RAF and the USAAF, was endorsed during the conference. Its goals were defined and the planning was begun. Details, including target selection and priorities, became the responsibility of a group of USAAF officers, primarily for two reasons. First, the RAF already was fully occupied with its own version of a bomber offensive. Second, much of the plan centered on the buildup of the USAAF bombing force and its best employment in the combined operation.
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<p>The plan was evolved, reviewed, changed and finally approved by the Combined Chiefs of Staff, to take effect on 10 June 194.3. It was given the codename of Pointblank.
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<p>On 27 January 1943, VIII Bomber Command sent 91 bombers on the first American mission against a German target, but only 58 aircraft bombed the submarine construction yards at Wilhelmshaven. It was a poor show; and three bombers were lost.
