Strange German bombing target for 30.12.40 attack

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

In translating the Heinrich Weiss manuscript for 30.12.40, we ran across this target reference:

"One Do 17Z had flown along the Norwich-Thetford railway through drizzling rain. The aircraft attacked the Gaymer Apple Wine Factory at Attleborough. The factory was set on fire. One seriously injured person was reported. Two killed and four injured were reported from Stradishall airfield."

The exact German reference says: ""Apfelwein-Fabrik Gaymer." Why would the Luftwaffe have attacked an apple cider factory, unless it was just a target of opportunity that got bombed by accident. Perhaps this company was making some other strategic war supply (medicinal spirits?). Does anyone have any insight into what this attack could have been about? Hardly seems worth risking an aircraft and crew to bomb an apple cider factory. It was the day before New Year's eve.

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator