Coventry & Warwickshire in WWII

Matchle55. To me this subject, and the bombing, I haven't thought about since that time, only this forum has brought it all back to me, so it's all what I struggle to remember, so may I ask, do you know the date of the stick of bombs on Shilton, and would you know if a Mosquito from Ansty had its wings torn off in practice over the fields close by? These things were happening all around me when I was a boy of 12/13. Less than three years later I was privileged to be a passenger four times in those Tiger Moths with those gallant pilots. I have read recently that the barrage balloons did more damage to friendly aircraft than enemy aircraft? The magazine I used to buy I believe was 'Flight' In 1945 I watched a demonstration of Horsa Gliders landing and met some of the aircrew, but about six months later the Glider Pilot Regt. got disbanded, so did the SAS.

Kaga, after 76 years memories fade, do you think it's too much of a coincidence to suggest that the bombs dropped on Hawkesbury and Shilton were dropped by the Junkers that ended its days at Hopsford Hall Farm. These places were hardly targets of any significance. If you look at a map you can draw a straight line between these locations, also the fact that the noise from the plane was getting louder meant obviously that it was getting closer to the ground and it jettisoned it bombs in desperation, Questions that I will try to answer, also the one regarding the Mosquito which is one I had not heard of before.

Kaga, this is a good source of information, it is where you will find the record of the Junkers. I had hoped to find records of the Mosquito crash that you refer to but sadly not. It could be that as the aircraft had been under test at that time the accident was not recorded in the normal channels. If, as you say, the wings broke, collapsed, I wouldn't mind betting that the glue might have been a cause, apparently it only had a limited life and its lifespan was strictly enforced. This is not the first Mosquito that I have heard of that broke up in mid-air whilst on its maiden flight.

Thank you, MR and the rest of you for your patience with me. No, I do not sugggest that it was the same aircraft, different dates altogether, but I do suggest the pattern was identical. I know I am putting my memory against today's records but that railway line was choc-a-bloc with troops and to me would have caused complete disruption, there was a small embankment that would have added to the chaos also. The flightpath of the bombs made the railway the prime target.

MR sorry, but I'm off topic again Matchless 55 wondered if this was of interest to you. 'The ditching fields of Beachy Head' makeshift airfield for ditching 'friend or foe'.

The wreckage of a Junkers Ju88 B3+HH works number 7087 of the I/KG 54 after it hit a barrage balloon cable over Coventry and crashed in Withybrook. 16th September 1940. Don't know if anyone has posted these before. Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3

Thank you, Helen, shows just what an impact the crash was, that large hedge on the left is were I found the thumb, never in all my wildest dreams did I expect to see that scene again, the car we went in is parked about 400 yds the other side that long hedge, amazing, I can remember it as though of today, there was more debris when we were there, but people were carting off pieces, but the Air Force police had gathered all they wanted. Really a true eye-opener for me. Thank you once again, regards, Kaga.

Looking through the thumbnail sketches on the Historic England viewfinder website I found an aerial photo of some anti aircraft gun mountings near Fillongley. It is on page 8, images 84-96, and its reference no is 18174/06. Could someone who knows where it is point me in the right direction please? A map reference would suffice. I have looked on Google earth but haven't had much success. Thanks in advance

Does this help? - or this? Would appear to be Breach Oak Lane, just east of its junction with Square Lane

Thanks for that MR, and to think of the times I have ridden up and down that lane

You may be already aware of this, but if you look on Google Earth, at the top there is and icon which looks like a clock with an anti clockwise arrow. If you click on this there is a timeline which you can take back to 1945 and see an aerial photo, not very clear but interesting.

But the Tide Turned. Like one morning in 1944 when the skies over Coventry were once again filled with aircraft, as far as the eye could see in all directions (friendly) Row upon row of bombers towing Horsa gliders, tow ropes taut and straining Shops emptied, cars pulled to the kerb, villagers out in the garden Farmers stopped work, tractors halted, the greatest show on earth, never to be seen again. In Broadgate there was a buzz of excitement, for the first time of the war Coventry people could see and feel part of this huge force. With my age and life I met and lived with some of the people of that armada just 14 months later and heard their stories. Interesting, the glider boys got 2/- a week danger money, the para boys got 2/6d a week danger money. From that to £89 million to play football - all in my lifetime.

I remember that day, I was ascending the stairs of the iron bridge in St Georges Road on my way to Folly Lane School when I was suddenly aware of the noise above me. On looking up towards Gosford Green there was in the sky a mass of aeroplanes all at the same height moving southwards. I had never seen so many in my life. There were hundreds of them, seemed like an age to me while they passed overhead. We did not know what was happening, indeed we were not even aware that a war was going on. I have recalled this moment many times when mulling over old times but no one has ever corroborated my story.

I also remember this day, as a 10 year old I stood in the garden of my home in Ransom Road with my dad, we both looked up, dad said to me the invasion has started. The sky was as herberts lad described it like a flock of starlings going over. I will never forget it, or forget those brave servicemen who would never return alive to see the end of this conflict.

Colcov. And would you remember that some days the blimps would be hovering over Coventry like a great shoal of silver fish, snub nosed facing into the wind. Occasionally they would shoot skywards, and I would shoot home before the 'moaning minnies' started and the guns barked. What a time we lived through.