ANDOVER AIRFIELD apr 41

[Chris Goss]

At leass two Luftwaffe units reported attacking Andover on the night of 7-8 Apr 41; can anyone confirm this or any damage caused?

[Brian Bines]

The part of the Key points report I have w/e 9-4-41 does not mention Andover but it is shown as attacked on the night of 15/16th April ( along with Boscombe Down, Middle Wallop, Chivenor, Newtownards and Tattershall), no details given.

[Bruce Dennis]

Chris, a similar story from me: Intelligence reports for the period 7/8 April 1941 state …

“…enemy activity, which was on a heavy scale, was widespread throughout the country. 5 enemy aircraft were destroyed and 2 others damaged by fighters. …”

It carries on to state that “at 2030 hours the first of a stream of raids from Holland and Belgium crossed the coast at Yarmouth. Later raids made landfall in the Wash area and activity was widespread over southern England and southern Scotland. Raids from Cherbourg and Brest areas crossed between Beachy Head and Start Point and flew north, covering the whole of the West Country up to Liverpool Bay and Barrow in Furness.” Then some descriptions of raids from Norway against targets in the north before … “ at 0320 hours fresh activity commenced in the Thames Estuary, where Chatham appeared to be the main target, but several enemy aircraft penetrated to the London area. The country was finally clear of enemy aircraft by 0500 hours.”

AI estimates put 370 long range German bombers and 25 German fighters in the operations against UK on the night of 7/8 April.

“The most notable incidents were at Glasgow, Belfast, Thameshaven, Plymouth, Bristol and Liverpool.” Andover is not mentioned, but the attacks that night are described as ‘widespread’ and "cover(ing) ever region of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.”

Fighter claims were made against German aircraft at Branscome, Bell Rock, Ribble Estuary, Brigg, near Tangmere and Belfast. No German units were named apart from unconnected activity by Kg40.

Source:mostly AIR 22/20

HTH
Bruce

[Chris Goss]

Thanks gentlemen. Logbook entry says took off Creil 7 Apr 41 2217 hrs landed 0125 hrs 8 Apr 41. Attacked Andover with hits on hangars. It was also subject to a very very exciting war reporter's article......I think the truth lies more to the left of arc!

[Bruce Dennis]

If it was based on fact, perhaps 'Andover' translates to 'Thruxton'?

[Chris Goss]

AHB confirms that Andover was attacked that night at 2245 hrs resulting in the death of an officer from 2 School of Army Cooperation and the wounding of 2......

[Brian Bines]

One source says Andover was attacked twice in 1941 (no dates) and following one raid a hanger had to be demolished. It looks like the two dates are 7/8th and 15/16th April, if the source is correct.