Attacks by II/KG 53

[Chris Goss]

Can anyone easily tell me when, between April & Jun 41, Brighton, Ipswich, Harwich and Stradishall were attacked at night?

[Brian Bines]

Key Points Home Office report shows Ipswich 9/10-April Docks, 28/29 April Factory, 29/30 April RAF Martlesham, 4/5 May RAF Aerodrome Ipswich and for 8/9-May I have a Gounty Borough of Ipswich report on a raid. RAF Stradishall mentioned as a Key Point hit on 20/21 April and 11/12- May.

[BC]

Stradishall history by Whitehouse/Adams has two runways cratered by bombs on 20 April 1941

Refs to bombs in Ipswich on:

9 April Dock area, New Cut East, homes in Orwell Street, Fore Street.

10 April Bombs in Fairfield Road, Clarence Street.

29 April Felixstowe Road area bombed.

4 May Wrinch's Factory bombed.

9 May Night attack by four a/c with 4 killed and 9 injured as per Brian Bines' Police report.

12 May Airport area bombed.

2 June HE and IB in Felixstowe Road area.

Hope this helps.

BC

[Chris Goss]

Thanks both-a little more research for me today. Reason why I ask is that I have just returned from Germany interviewing some German aircrew and one, an Observer, flew 12 missions over UK (Belfast, London (3), Liverpool, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Brighton, Southampton, Ipswich, Harwich & Stradishall) between April 1941 and when they went to Russia (where he flew another 290 missions and another 5 over Normandy). He would like to know the dates-I am amazed that he, a 91 year old, can remember the targets after such a long time!

[Chris Goss]

Not as easy as one thinks! Belfast was probably 15 April; Sheffield was probably 8-9 May. Stradishall was probably 11-12 May (all out attack on bomber airfields that night)