What German bombers were used against Hinckley, Leicestershire
 

I wonder if you could help me find out what type of German Bombers were used to bomb Hinckley in Leicestershire on the night of 16th May 1941 and early hours of 17th May 1941.

The research I have done so far has unearthed that a large German formation was heading towards Birmingham, but some of the bombers had a navigation issue which led them to bomb Nuneaton, I am presuming that Hinckley was bombed as a result of just getting rid of some bombs (any way of confirming this?) that had not been used as the bombs landed on housing.

I am guessing that the bombers assigned to ‘Luftflotte 3’ would have flown from The Netherlands, as Belgium and Northern France seem to me too far away to bomb Birmingham.

The questions I have are:

• What bombers were used?
• What squadron would they be from?
• Where did they fly from on 16th May 1941?, the time would be great?
• How many bombers would have been on this raid?
• What flight path would they have used to fly to Birmingham? Some of the bombers got the navigation wrong and ended up bombing Nuneaton.
• Would there have been any fighters (bf109, bf110) escorting them and how far would they escort them to?
• Is it common practice to get rid of any remaining bombs? And why would they have any spare bombs.

Sorry about all the questions, I suppose if the flights were logged it would answer some of the questions.

Re: What German bombers were used against Hinckley, Leicestershire
 

Hi Graham,

Keep a look out for my book 'Beneath Hitler's Highway: Leicestershire Versus the Luftwaffe, 1939-1945' published by Halsgrove books this summer. It covers in great detail this particular raid, plus previously unpublished photos and records regarding the fall-out, inquiry and post-raid conclusions.

Regards,

Austin J. Ruddy

Re: What German bombers were used against Hinckley, Leicestershire
 

I have a copy of the raid report from the Luftwaffe side so can say for Luftflotte 3, KGr 100 (He 111, Vannes), II/KG 55 (He 111, Chartres), III/KG 55 (He 111, Villacoublay, Stab/KG 55 (He 111, Villacoublay), KG 1 (Ju 88, Rosieres & Amy), KG 76 (Ju 88 Creil, Beaumont, Cormeilles), KG 26 (He 111 Le Bourget). No escort as it was night

Re: What German bombers were used against Hinckley, Leicestershire
 

Many thanks, I will keep an eye out for the book. I am after the information this week so that I can upload a webpage and finish off the details to the bombing of Hinckley.

Re: What German bombers were used against Hinckley, Leicestershire
 

This looks like a massive raid that night, does the report give any details of the time they took off and returned? Any ideas of the amount of aircraft that took off and returned?

I have checked out where the airfields were and found they were all in France as following:
• Roye-Amy – France, North East
• Beaumont-le-Roger – France, North
• Chartres – France, nr Paris
• Cormeilles – France, nr Paris
• Creil – France, nr Paris
• Le Bourget – France, nr Paris
• Rosieres – France, South
• Vannes – France, North
• Villacoublay – France, nr Paris

Re: What German bombers were used against Hinckley, Leicestershire
 

The report doesn't say take off & landing just attack times. It also has ac numbers. I do not have details of any other Luftflotte involvement. PM me if I can help more

Re: What German bombers were used against Hinckley, Leicestershire
 

I don't have the option to PM you.

Re: What German bombers were used against Hinckley, Leicestershire
 

What was the time of attack as that would be very helpful. What are the AC Numbers?

These post are taking quite a while to appear on this forum!

Re: What German bombers were used against Hinckley, Leicestershire
 

Because your first five posts require approval by a moderator before they appear. It's how we stop the forum filling up with spam messages.

Re: What German bombers were used against Hinckley, Leicestershire
 

Is that also why he can't PM?