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Air Raid Penzance 8 June 1941

Hi,

I'm trying to find out more about a bombing raid on Penzance, Cornwall on 8 June 1941.

From press reports, a single aircraft (type unknown) made a low level attack, dropping 3? bombs (size unknown), one of which was delayed action. Judging by the bomb line it might have been going for the harbour but released too early.

Does anyone have access to data which might reveal the unit and aircraft/type involved in the raid ? Would be grateful for any help or pointers.

thanks,

dcf100

Re: Air Raid Penzance 8 June 1941

Someone seems to have thoroughly researched bombings around Penzance
https://www.picturepenzance.com/thre...district.2468/

Quote:

There had been 15 fatal casualties in the borough of Penzance, 13 in 1941, one in 1940 and 1942. Most of these occurred in the evening of June 8, 1941, when bombs fell on the residential area of Alma Terrace and St. James Street, killing nine persons and injuring 26. Extensive damage was done to property, about 345 houses being affected.

Further on, it mentions the loss of a German bomber, but there are no CWGC entries for 6 June 1941 for German personnel.

Another site https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peo...a8346224.shtml

Quote:

8th: A severe raid on Penzance caused damage, death and casualties. Just before 11 p.m. the sirens sounded and ten high explosive and a number of incendiary bombs fell. Six houses in Alma Place were completely wrecked, another 30 seriously damaged and about 700 persons were affected. One bomb on St. James Street caused widespread damage affecting some 300 houses. Nine persons, including a Police Sergeant were killed, seven were seriously injured and nineteen less so.

Perhaps our Luftwaffe specialists can comment on what German units were in France just prior to the invasion of Russia?

Re: Air Raid Penzance 8 June 1941

Luftflotte 3 & ObdL records are missing for this date and I can see no aircraft lost

Re: Air Raid Penzance 8 June 1941

Probably Ju88 or He111.

Re: Air Raid Penzance 8 June 1941

Do 17s had all gone east by then or replaced by Ju 88s or Do 217s

Re: Air Raid Penzance 8 June 1941

Thanks for the replies.

I'm aware of the previous research on Penzance bombing raids. However, I'm only interested in the 8 June 1941 attack since it hit our house. No aircraft were lost during that particular raid.

I've dug out contemporary press reports of the incident - was hoping I might be able to supplement those with some background on the attacking aircraft. Sounds like I might be out of luck.

thanks again.

Re: Air Raid Penzance 8 June 1941

Hi,

From Luftwaffe records: "2040 Uhr Penzance durch 1 Kampfflugzeug aus 800 m Flughöhe mit 1 SC 500 und 4 SC 250. Die Besatzung beobachtete Einschlag von 4 Bomben in einem größeren Lagerschuppen." Penzance was attacked as an alternative target. No information is given about unit or specific aircraft type.

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com/earticles

Re: Air Raid Penzance 8 June 1941

Andrew,

excellent! Thanks. Google translates "Lagerschuppen" as "storage shed", whereas they actually hit a terrace of houses. Interesting that Penzance was an alternate target. Any idea what the primary target would have been ?

regards,
dcf