Hi, I have been compiling information on the above day during the BofB specifically with information connected to my local area and have come accross a clipping from the Surrey Mirror which mentions a Do17 being brought down on a sewage farm on the 18th August, the impact of the crash catapulted the bombs into the air and the crew were found dead. I have been through the BofB Then and Now and there are a number of losses but none mention a sewage farm. I would just like to know which loss this article is drawing reference to as it was part of a raid that dropped bombs on my home town and I am preparing a display board for the museum. Thanks for any help.
By: Tuck1940 - 12th January 2015 at 17:56
The low level force was via seaford the high ones over dover , from the Hardest day Alfred price.
Also the bomber hit the side of a house in hurst green ripping a wing off. 3 dead 2 taken prisoner.
cheers
By: Creaking Door - 12th January 2015 at 16:52
Doubt it was the low-level element; although they weren’t ‘undetected’ before their bombing-run over Kenley their arrival came as a (complete?) surprise to those at Kenley. The bombing of the nine low-level Do17 was very accurate and most, if not all, of their bombs fell within the airfield perimeter.
I would try to get a copy of ‘The Hardest Day’ if I were you; it has been reprinted fairly recently and is cheap and easy to get hold of. It also has lots of first-hand accounts from those in the Kenley low-level Do17 force and those on the ground who experienced the bombing (at Kenley and elsewhere that day).
By: Arabella-Cox - 12th January 2015 at 13:46
No I do not have this publication which is a shame, have also tried finding the Britain at War issue that Andy wrote but have not been able to locate it as yet, looked everywhere except the dreaded loft! Thanks for heads up I will see if I can find it on the web. I am trying to find out which element dropped bombs over Redhill and Reigate at about 1.30pm on that fateful day, not sure if it was the low level element or the high altitude element? I am not sure if any of the low flying Do-17 ditched their bombs on the way to or back from Kenley, I know the high altitude element was attacked by RAF fighters and the formation was spilt up with some jettisoning their bombs, so most likely it is one of these but would like to be as sure as I can.
By: Creaking Door - 10th January 2015 at 22:07
Have you got a copy of ‘The Hardest Day’ by Dr Alfred Price?
It has some good route information for the low-level raid which was different from the later (should have been earlier) high-level bombing (Do17 and He111).
By: Arabella-Cox - 10th January 2015 at 22:00
Ok pretty sure this loss is in fact the Hurst Green incident as bombs were scattered during this particular crash. Another question has raised its head. Does anyone know if the first low level element of the Kenley raid took the same route as the second high altitude Do17’s? Would they have passed over Redhill or Reigate on their briefed route? The raid I am researching occurred at approx 1.30pm.
By: Arabella-Cox - 7th January 2015 at 07:35
Many thanks for the reply, I wonder if the truth has been altered for the purpose of moral, I guess if either of these incidents was close to a sewage works then it would have been too tempting to not use it in the story.
By: Arabella-Cox - 6th January 2015 at 22:50
I compiled a three-part series on the Kenley raid and 18 August 1940 in ‘Britain at War’ last year.
This would either have been the Kenley crash or Hurst Green, I’d think? However, the first time I have seen reference to any sewage farm.
By: adrian_gray - 6th January 2015 at 22:24
Could it be a confusion with this loss?
http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?85730-Me-110-%28Bf-110c%29-M8-BM-1940
Adrian
(I’m sure I’ve seen a photo of a bent sewage farm in BoB Then and Now – if I can find it in the Book Pile, I’ll have a flick through)
By: Arabella-Cox - 6th January 2015 at 21:53
Can anyone help?? Andy are you out there?
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January 6, 2015 at 2:26 pm