chichester

[liberator]

I wish to find details of the aircraft involved in bombing raids on Chichester, West Sussex. 1] 10 Feb 1942 1600hrs 2] 28 April 1944 0400hrs
both single plane raids
Liberator

[Flyingkag]

Hi,

I don't have the answer you need, but I believe I (maybe still) have some documents you could be interested about;

I had bought for about 20 years some Luftwaffe documents; there were strategical reconnaissance photographies with interpretation drawings, maps etc...describing lot of possible air-attack targets in south England (airfields, marshalling roads, factories etc...);

I know that between them was one file about Chichester, but cannot remember if concerned target was railroad, airfield or bridge etc...

If you could be very intersted about them, I can have a look in my archives and search if I still have them and make a scan of them...if I still have conserved them!

Cheers

Mathias, strasbourg, France

[liberator]

That sounds great, possibly just what I want, I am on kaagreen@talktalk.net

[Brian Bines]

Some years ago I took notes From the West Sussex Records Office, I did not find anything for the 27/28th April for Chichester. From other records these show on the 27/28th April there had been Luftwaffe activity off Selsey Bill between 2222-2345 hrs and 2330-0021hrs. Later some Me410 intruders of KG51 were reported in the Cambridge area with RAF Feltwell being attacked at 0340hrs. Luftwaffe records say 10 aircraft took part but UK records only mention two over the UK. I believe these 410's would have operated from Holland.
However on the night of 25/26th April 1944 there was a two phase attack on Portsmouth with bombs being dropped on a curve from Littlehampton to the Isle of Wight. AT 0007hrs H.E.'s fell at Armadale Road and Bridge Road Chichester killing 6 people and destroying 12 houses, would this fit in with what you are looking for ? The same night there was damage to the Power Station and houses in Portsmouth.
On May 11th 1944 a B-24 of the 487th BG was abandoned by its crew, following combat damage, the pilot had pointed the aircraft out to sea but it turned and crashed in the S/E of Chichester,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Flyingkag]

Hi Liberator,

It seems you are lucky! I have conserved teh documents I had bought fro about 20 years;

They concern Merston Flugplatz (= Chichester) and they give the detail of all other strategical or tactical taregets in Chichester area;

here two pictures I just made; I will scan them Monday for a better quality if you need them.

I hope they help.Attachment 5457Attachment 5458

Cheers

mathias

[liberator]

great
Sounds like just the information I need
I am on
kaagreen@talktalk.net

cheers
Ken Green
Chichester