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Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the German Luftwaffe and the Air Forces of its Allies. |
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#1
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Luftwaffe raids on South Coast March - May 1944
Which units were available to the Luftwaffe to carry out nuisance raids on the South Coast of England in March to May 1944, especially around the Solent area?
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Larry Hayward |
#2
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Re: Luftwaffe raids on South Coast March - May 1944
I think you'll find that this was I./SKG10... according to the excellent "Luftwaffe Hit & Run Raiders" by Chris Goss [Classic, 2009], both Portsmouth & Plymouth were targeted between April & May 1944, with mention made of a unit loss during a raid on Portsmouth on the 22nd May... his is an active member here so I imagine he'll be able to elaborate further...
Cheers Peter D Evans LEMB Administrator |
#3
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Re: Luftwaffe raids on South Coast March - May 1944
These Fw 190s and the Me 410s of II./KG 51 (ex V./KG 2) were being used as part of the Steinbock night offensive. Typically they would be sent on diversionary or harassment attacks on coastal targets while the larger bombers headed elsewhere.
To quote from my Kampfflieger Vol. 4 (Classic Colours series): "On the night of 14/15 May 1944, Luftflotte 3 put up 91 aircraft to raid Bristol … the force’s strength was reduced by 15 early on, when RAF intruders attacked the bases of KG 2, KG 54 and KG 51. The resulting delay prompted Luftflotte 3 to order a 15-strong harassing operation against coastal towns between Portland and Bournemouth. |
#4
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Re: Luftwaffe raids on South Coast March - May 1944
Peter & Nick,
Thanks for the info especially the details of the raid on 14/15th May 1944 as this ties in nicely with the very date that this 500 Kg bomb was probably dropped. It fell just yards from the HQ of the 405th FG in Mudeford, Christchurch only to be discovered in May 2006, when a home owner was digging up his patio! Presumably this bomb could have been dropped by any of the aircraft types involved, whether single or multi engined.
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Larry Hayward Last edited by Larry; 23rd June 2020 at 17:37. |
#5
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Re: Luftwaffe raids on South Coast March - May 1944
Or, it could be a Roman vessel that held olive oil, no? Was the bomb saved or did it have to be taken care of?
Stephen |
#6
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Re: Luftwaffe raids on South Coast March - May 1944
The bomb had to be taken care of - I believe it was taken away by the Army and blown up on the Army ranges. I would have loved it as a souvenir as its discovery caused the cancellation of my Dad's 80th birthday!
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Larry Hayward |
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