bombing incident, 9th April 1941

[Thomast]

Hello all,

perhaps somebody can help me? I am trying to possibly identify the aircraft or unit responsible for the following incident. On the night of 9th April 1941 at 22.00 hrs, at least 63 high explosives and 2000 Incendiary bombs were dropped on an area known as the Stiperstones (near Snailbeach) in Shropshire, England. There is no military target nearby. It is believed that a small fire had set fire to heather on the hill and the German aircraft mistook the area for a burning town or target. I would be interested to know which units were operating that night? Shropshire tended to be on the flight path of bombers heading to Liverpool or perhaps aircraft that had strayed to the west of Birmingham? Does anybody have any ideas or answers? Many thanks, Tom

[Brian Bines]

Main attack on the night of 9/10th April 1941 was targeted to Birmingham by 237 bombers drawn from ten units. I believe there were eight losses with a further three aircraft returning with combat damage. Units taking part KG 1, KG 26,KG 27,KG 53, KG 54, KG 55, KG 76,KG 77,KG 100 and KGr 806. The book' The Blitz Then and Now vol 2 ' pages 518 to 520 describes the nights activities and losses.

[Thomast]

Hi Brian, thanks very much for that. I shall try and get hold of a copy of the book. Cheers

[Chris Goss]

Are you sure it was 9 April as I have the German analysis of the night and although Great Yarmouth, Portsmouth, Southampton and Birmingham were attacked that night, there is no mention of anywhere to the west of Birmingham

[Thomast]

Hi Chris,

the information came from the local ARP HQ war diary for Shropshire, so the date should be accurate. It is quite a way of to the west of Birmingham, but i have come across instances where bombers have strayed that far and ended up over Shropshire. But it would seem by the number of bombs that there must have been quite a few bombers that strayed? Cheers, Tom