Luftwaffe units involved in Rennes Railway yards raid, 17th June 1940?

[Laurent Rizzotti]

All French sources agree that the Rennes bombing was made by a small German formation that dropped only a few bombs, one hitting an ammunition train that blew up, killing many people in other trains parked around it.

This french webpage has a witness speaking of "3 German bombers, probably Do 17", and as also a video showing the results of the raid (German propaganda):
http://www.wiki-rennes.fr/Bombardement_du_17_juin_1940

But other witnesses said "3 Stuka", "3 fighter bombers", "5 bombers", etc...

I think the conclusion can only be that it was a small German formation that dropped only some bombs... and so it could be a part of any unit flying this day over Britanny against another target and that attacked these trains as an opportunity target. Or even a reconnaissance flight.

[Brian]

Hi Laurent

Did I read the report correctly, that 508 soldiers including 156 British were killed in the explosions?

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

At least 508 soldiers: the number given in the text are for three units only.

For example, the text gives the number of 156 British Engineers killed in the raid: 200 British soldiers are buried in Rennes with a death date on 17 june 1940, including some RAF ones, for example.
See a list there for 177 of them : http://www.lelancastria.com/17-juin-...-Rennes-a.html

The body count of this raid will probably never be known: the first link I gave said that 805 bodies were buried, and speculates that around one thousand people were killed by the bombing and the explosion (including civilians), but all other sources will give numbers between 2000 and 5000 dead... but without any more details.

[Peter D Evans]

Thanks for the feedback Laurent...

Brian, here are some additional external links concerning this incident:

Roll of Honour – Rennes troop train bombing, 17th June 1940
Rennes, Brittany, France, June 1940. After Dunkirk, escaping to the west. Chapter 1
Rennes; 17 juin 1940, tragédie dans la gare à la plaine de Baud (WARNING! includes graphic images)

I also agree that this appears to have been a target of opportunity, so perhaps it was one of the two units who recorded losses (both from "The Battle of France..." tome) on this day?

1./KG26 - Heinkel He111
3./KG30 - Junkers Ju88A - possibly aircraft that attacked the Lancastria

Hopefully others can add more info...

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

[Brian]

Thanks Laurent and Peter

I tragedy about which I knew very little.

Cheers
Brian