Operation Thunderclap

[Zipper730]

I remember a mention of a massive bomber raid proposed against Berlin in 1944 which entailed some of the following, and some of these details maybe wrong because my memory isn't perfect (despite sometimes remembering a whole bunch of odd stats and figures).

1. USAAF was to initiate the raid by dropping a couple thousand tons of bombs on part of Berlin (1-4 square miles from what I recall)
2. RAF to carry out a massive apocalyptic bomber raid at night
3. Goal was to produce a national disaster that would produce a near 100% fatality rate to any area it was applied to, as well as convince the civilian population that the government was powerless to prevent a repetition.
4. Expected death toll was around 200,000-275,000.

I'm curious what kind of plans were used for the raids in terms of the following...

1. Aircraft numbers: This raid was never implemented so estimates are fine
2. Bombing Techniques: Was the idea to use sector bombing (markers deployed and the aircraft fanned out to spread the area of destruction over a larger area) or other methods?
3. Ordnance: I would assume incendiaries would make up a significant portion of the load owing to the fact that this was to be a city-busting raid, cookies and other GP high explosive bombs seem likely. I figure time-delay bombs were also to be intended. I'd almost swear there was a mention somewhere here about the use of Tallboy or Grandslams as well, which is unusual for this particular mission.

While I'm glad we didn't adopt this course of action, what do you think the results would have been

1. On the war effort as a whole?
2. Views at home (UK & US)?
3. Post-War issues with Germany?

The following may have an interest as well as solid answers
A Admiral Beez GrauGeist GTX P pbehn S Shortround6 S stona swampyankee W wuzak