 Occupied Belgium was also targeted by the Allied bombers from both the British RAF and American USAAF . The policy led to high civilian casualties as bombs missed their intended targets and fell on civilian areas . In a raid on the Erla Motor Works in the Belgian town of Mortsel ( near Antwerp ) in April 1943 , just two bombs dropped by the B @-@ 17s of the U.S. 8th Air Force fell on the intended target . The remaining 24 tons of bombs fell on civilian areas of the town , killing 936 and injuring 1 @,@ 600 more in just eight minutes . The Allied policy was condemned by many leading figures within Belgium , including Cardinal van Roey . 
