Re:2nd raid - Palace Hotel, Torquay, Devon 30 December 1942

[Danny152]

On the 30 December 1942 the Luftwaffe attacked the Palace Hotel, Torquay, Devon, for the second time that year. This hotel was being used as a RAF hospital. Would anyone know the Luftwaffe unit(s) that carried out this action please?

Thanks

Danny

[Chris Goss]

6 Fw 190s of 10 (Jabo). JG 2 hit Exeter (thinking it was Newton Abbot) at 1020 hrs on 30 Dec 42 while 10 (Jabo)/JG 26 did the same at Bexhill. I have no actual attack on Torquay and the only attack which hit the Palace Hotel I have as 1108 hrs on 25 Oct 42. They did drop 5 bombs on 30 Dec 42 and no mention of a 6th but flew out over Paignton/Torquay but made no mention of attacking anything on the way home and the only deaths were at Exeter.

[Danny152]

Thanks Chris, knew you would come to the rescue!!!

[Danny152]

Its interesting as the first attack the east wing got hit, on the second the centre Wing got hit. They then stopped using the hotel as a hospital Looking on the Internet there seemed to be many deaths from these events.

https://www.devonheritage.org/Places...gofTorquay.htm

https://www.babbacombelhs.org.uk/mem...-palace-hotel/

[Danny152]

This one shows a photo after the raid in Dec.

https://www.dortongroup.com/case-stu...-palace-hotel/

[Danny152]

Chris,

The attack in Oct 42 on the hotel, was this JG2 or JG26 please?

Cheers,

Danny

[Chris Goss]

JG 2 and CWGC list no casualties for 30 Dec

[Nick Beale]

Ulf Balke's KG 2 history mentions four harassment sorties on 30 December but gives no further details. Torquay Museum might have (or know where to find) any incident reports.

[Chris Goss]

KG 2's 4 aircraft attacking targets Channel-Thames-Humber. They attacked Louth and it would appear to be targets in the Margate area. Not Torquay