Editing Operation Goodwood (section)

====Allied air forces====
Augmenting the preliminary artillery bombardment, {{nowrap|2,077 heavy}} and medium bombers of the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) and [[United States Army Air Forces]] (USAAF) would attack in three waves, in the largest air raid launched in direct support of ground forces in the campaign so far.{{sfn|Dunphie|2005|p=35}}{{efn|{{nowrap|1,056 heavy}} bombers of [[RAF Bomber Command]], {{nowrap|539 heavy}} bombers of the USAAF [[Eighth Air Force]] and {{nowrap|482 medium}} bombers of the USAAF [[Ninth Air Force (World War II)|Ninth Air Force]].{{sfn|Jackson|2006|p=89}}}} Speed was of the essence and it was hoped that the aerial bombardment would pave the way for the 11th Armoured Division, rapidly to secure the Bourguébus Ridge.{{sfn|Dunphie|2005|p=42}} Dempsey believed that if the operation were to succeed, his tanks would need to be on the ridge by the first afternoon and cancelled a second attack by heavy bombers scheduled for then although this was to be in direct support of the advance towards the ridge, he was concerned that the 11th Armoured Division should not have to wait for it.{{sfn|Reynolds|2001|p=171}} [[Close air support]] for Goodwood would be provided by [[No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group (United Kingdom)|83 Group RAF]], to neutralise German positions on the flanks of VIII Corps, strong points such as the village of Cagny, attacking German gun and reserve positions and the [[Air interdiction|interdiction]] of German troop movements.{{sfn|Jackson|2006|p=89}} Each of the VIII Corps brigade headquarters was allocated a [[Forward air control|Forward Air Control Post]].{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|p=65}}