Between the end of August 1943 and the end of March 1944, RAF Bomber Command carried out a sustained offensive against Berlin, 19 major attacks being made. It was the climax of the RAF's effort to knock Germany out of the war by the strategic bombing of cities. Although much damage was caused in Berlin, the results of the bombing were not decisive. Bomber Command on the other hand, suffered a major defeat. A total of 619 aircraft and crews were lost in the raids on Berlin alone, with many other aircraft crashing on return to the UK. At the end of the battle of Berlin, Bomber Command was switched to support the invasion and the bomber dream - that the RAF alone could knock Germany out of the war - was over.