Very long shot. Looking for details about a Luftwaffe bomber attack May 10th 1941 - Stoke Works, England

[Mysticpuma]

I have information that on May 10th 1941 at 2.10am the Salt works at Stoke Prior near the town of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, UK was attacked by Luftwaffe bombers.

At the time the Salt Works (from data published at the time) produced 14% of the world's industrial and digestible salt and must have been seen as a relevant target for the enemy to attack.

The actual damage to the Saltworks is not known to me unfortunately (but I am still researching that) but it did create quite an interesting side effect.

One of the bombs dropped failed to explode and when UXB crews excavated the site in order to diffuse it, they found evidence that proved salt had been mined at the site in an open-cast method previous to any history recorded,

The bomb had actually dropped into one of the shafts that had been previously worked at the site and remained unknown until the Luftwaffe 're-opened' it.

I'm just wondering if in any of the records available for that or dates very, very close, may detail what aircraft were used, what unit flew the mission or if any other reasons are known as to why that should be seen as a target?

I do know that there is a nearby rail-line that leads to Birmingham and on the route in it would have gone past Longbridge works (aircraft were built there) and also a Wagon works in Aston Fields which repaired many of the locomotives and rolling stock for the Birmingham area.

I'm just interested in-case the information is known?

Cheers, MP

[Chris Goss]

Was it 9-10 or 10-11 May 1941? Both dates, III/KG 55 attacked Birmingham

[Mysticpuma]

Hi Chris, thanks forthe reply. The date is definitely the 10th and it was 2.10am.
Would you know what aircraft would have been used for the raid and any idea of the numbers?

Secondly I have to presume that Stoke Works wouldn't have been a Primary target, but would there be anyway of knowing if it was hit on the outward or return journey?

I think that if it wasn't a primary target then to attack it before Birmingham would have given a warning to the city that a raid could be imminent?

I have since found reference that another bomb exploded nearby on a terrace of houses but I can't confirm that it happened the same night, so maybe the salt works were seen as a viable secondary option?

Very much appreciate all and any information supplied, cheers, MP

[Chris Goss]

A He 111 of III/KG 55 was briefed to attack the Birmetals factory doing so at 0215 hrs dropping 1 PC 1400 and 4 SC250 bombs. Former bomb landed SW of the factory

[edwest]

I suggest you contact any local newspapers in that area. They may have an archive on microfilm.




Best,
Ed

[Mysticpuma]

Thanks chaps, this may be the actual incident then that took place, if the target was mistaken as 'Birmetals' (not sure what that would be but it may be this factory?

I will also follow up Ed's suggestion and see if they have any news, although APU, I presume that the military had something to say about reporting an attack?

Cheers, MP