Air Raid Damage Reports Brentwood Division Essex Fire Service September 1940.

Sep30

Date Time Location Damage

01/09/1940 11.20 Thundersley Plate glass window 7ft x 6ft broken by concussion.

Gun fire in the distance. No casualties.

01/09/1940 11.21 Ingrave 1 – H.E. unexploded (or shell) between Blaydale’s

Wood and Grave Wood on McClure’s Heron Hall Farm. No damage or casualties. B.D.S. 23.6.41

02/09/1940 08.15 Rochford German Dornier 17 crashed and burnt out at

Rochford Aerodrome. Crew 1 killed, 3 prisoners safe.

02/09/1940 16.35 Vange Roof of Churchill & Johnsons Timber Yard Wharf

Road. Damaged by shrapnel

02/09/1940 16.40 Laindon German Messerschmitt 110 crashed and burnt out

in the South East Corner of Frith Wood. 2 bodies recovered.

02/09/1940 16.40 Brentwood Fire in a barley field near Sawyers Hall Farm

Doddinghurst Road. 3 cocks of barley destroyed. Cause unknown (during an air raid). No casualties.

02/09/1940 17.05 Little Body of a German Airman found at Sudburys

Burstead Cottage, Nirege Farm. Parachute failed to open.

02/09/1940 17.06 Vange 1 – A.A. unexploded shell in School gardens

Claylands. No damage or casualties.

02/09/1940 17.07 Potton Island 1 – H.E. unexploded 250 yards South of Sea Wall.

North end of Island. No damage or casualties.

03/09/1940 07.30 Canewdon British Spitfire smashed 1/2 mile North East of Air

Ministry Experimental Works. Pilot safe at Rochford Aerodrome.

03/09/1940 10.20 Canewdon British Pilot down by parachute at Sealdhurst

Farm. Face burnt. RAF on spot.

03/09/1940 10.20 Canewdon British Pilot baled out. Safe at Lower Raypits

Farm. Machine North of River Roach.

03/09/1940 10.20 Ingrave British Spitfire burnt out 300 yards East of

Handleys Dairy Farm. Pilot Sergt. Fopp of Debden safe.

03/09/1940 10.30 Church End 1 Cannon Shell unexploded at “Eltham Lodge”

Hawkwell Park Drive. No damage or casualties.

03/09/1940 10.30 Hullbridge 5 – I.Bs 1 at Mayfields Avenue and 4 at Malyons

Farm. No damage or casualties.

03/09/1940 10.40 Canewdon British plane crashed at Canewdon Hall Field.

Pilot safe.

03/09/1940 10.40 Mountnessing 1 – H.E. exploded in a field 150 yards South

West of Bacons Farm. No damage or casualties.

03/09/1940 10.45 Canewdon British plane burnt out 200 yards East of Apton

Hall. Pilot safe.

03/09/1940 10.50 Canewdon German Messerschmitt 110 wrecked at Snowhills

field. North of Canewdon Hall. Crew 1 injured (serious) 1 uninjured taken prisoner.

03/09/1940 10.50 Foulness British plane wrecked 1/4 mile East of Brickhouse

Island Farm. Pilot dead. Parachute failed to open.

03/09/1940 11.00 Hockley British plane burnt out at Beckney’s Farm. Pilot

safe.

03/09/1940 11.00 Sutton 2 – H.Es unexploded in a market garden field near

Temple Farm Cottage. No damage or casualties.

03/09/1940 11.00 Canewdon 2 – I.Bs at The Kennels. No damage or casualties.

03/09/1940 11.25 Mountnessing 1 I.B. unexploded found at Swallows Cross,

in field 300 yards West of Burnthouse Lane. No damage or casualties.

03/09/1940 12.12 Margaretting Pilot Officer David W Hunt wounded in Billericay

Hospital. Plane crashed in Chelmsford Division.

03/09/1940 12.13 Ingrave 1 – H.E. unexploded at Childerditch Hall Farm, 400

yards West and 500 yards North of Arterial Road. No damage or casualties. B.D.S. 13.5.41

03/09/1940 12.14 Shenfield 1 – Cannon Shell unexploded on greensward at

Alexander Lane. No damage or casualties. Taken by Military

03/09/1940 12.15 Rayleigh Grass fire at Cressays Farm Wickford Road.

Supposed cause cannon shell.

03/09/1940 12.16 Canewdon 1 – I.B. at Pudseys Hall gate, Larks Hill. No

damage or casualties.

03/09/1940 19.00 Canvey 1 – A.A. unexploded shell, 50 yards West of Eaton

Island Lodge. Central Wall Avenue. No damage or casualties.

03/09/1940 21.00 Mountnessing 3 – I.Bs unexploded at Mountnessing Hall,

400 yards West of the Farmhouse. No damage or casualties.

03/09/1940 21.00 Hutton 1 – H.E. unexploded at The Willows. Slight

damage to property. No casualties.

03/09/1940 21.00 Mountnessing 50 – I.Bs burnt out in fields and 1 I.B.

Unexploded 300 yards West of Peagrims Farm. No damage or casualties

03/09/1940 23.10 Laindon 1 – H.E. in the road B.1007 High Road Laindon

250 yards South of the Fortune-of-War P.H. Electric and telephone wires down and water main damaged. No casualties. (Single line traffic 21st inst.)

03/09/1940 23.10 Laindon 2 – H.Es exploded 100 yards East of High Road

Schools. Gas main, electric cable and surrounding property damaged. No casualties.

04/09/1940 01.10 Ramsden 9 – H.Es exploded and I.Bs (a number) burnt out in

Heath Jackson’s Meadow 1/2 mile North of the Village. No damage or casualties.

04/09/1940 09.30 Canewdon 5 – H.Es exploded in a field between Bolt Hall

House and the Sea Wall. No damage or casualties.

04/09/1940 09.30 Foulness 3 – H.Es exploded. One at Nazewick Farm. One

at Frenches Works & One at Little Newlands Farm. Slight damage to property. No casualties.

04/09/1940 09.30 Great 1 – H.E. exploded in a field 250 yards East of

Wakering Friends Farm. No damage or casualties.

04/09/1940 09.45 Barling 1 – H.E. exploded at Bolt Farm. One slight

casualty. No damage.

04/09/1940 09.45 Great 2 – H.Es exploded at Pinches Farm. No casualties

Stambridge or damage.

04/09/1940 09.46 Mountnessing 1 – H.E. unexploded at Arnolds Farm.

Arnolds Lane closed. No damage or casualties.

04/09/1940 09.47 Hutton 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field 250 yards North from

end of Goodwood Avenue. No damage or casualties. B.D.S. 30.4.41

04/09/1940 13.15 Rochford British Spitfire crashed and burnt out 150 yards

East of Rectory Road Railway Bridge. Pilot safe.

04/09/1940 13.16 Rochford 1 Cannon Shell unexploded at “Dunrovin” Oxford

Road. No damage or casualties.

04/09/1940 21.00 Mountnessing 1 – I.B. unexploded 300 yards West of

Peagrims Farm. No damage or casualties.

04/09/1940 22.20 Herongate 1 – H.E. unexploded 200 yards to the rear of

Salmons Farm. No damage or casualties. B.D.S. 3.5.41

04/09/1940 22.30 Laindon 1 – A.A. Shell exploded on the Arterial Road 350

yards West of the Fortune-of-War P.H. Crossroads. Slight damage to Road. No casualties.

04/09/1940 22.30 Laindon 1 – A.A. Shell unexploded in a field 300 yards

North East of Frenches Farm and 300 yards East of Noak Hill Road. No damage or casualties.

04/09/1940 23.00 Vange 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell on the greensward in

Victoria Road. 100 yards West of Rickfield Road. No damage or casualties.

05/09/1940 11.52 Rochford 1 – H.E. unexploded 50 yards West of Stacks at

Samuels Field, Landwick. No damage or casualties.

05/09/1940 11.53 Rayleigh Shed burnt out at Dorothy’s Farm. Cause

unknown.

05/09/1940 15.00 Rochford 2 – H.Es unexploded 400 yards North East of the

Rectory Hall Road. No damage or casualties.

05/09/1940 15.07 North British Spitfire burnt out at Bonvilles Farm. Pilot

Benfleet Robert Durham Number 42574 injured.

05/09/1940 15.07 Nevendon British Spitfire crashed and blew up 1/4 mile South

East of Nevendon Hall. Pilot Officer Webster killed. Parachute failed to open.

05/09/1940 15.20 Canvey Aeroplane crashed at speed in the centre of the

Island River Thames 1000 yards South East of Scars Elbow Fort

05/09/1940 15.20 Bowers German Messerschmitt 109 crashed and burnt out

Gifford at Little Chalvedons Hall 1/2 mile West of Ilfracombe Avenue, Pilot dead.

05/09/1940 15.20 South British Spitfire burnt out at Kimberly Road. Pilot

Benfleet Officer Lovell of Hornchurch safe. Electric cables damaged.

05/09/1940 15.20 Canvey H.Es number unknown exploded in the River

Island Thames 400yards South East of Scar Elbow Fort. No damage or casualties.

05/09/1940 15.20 Raweth Grass fire at Dollymans Farm. Cause not known

(during an air raid)

05/09/1940 15.27 Rayleigh 1 – Cannon Shell unexploded in High Street.

Taken away by Military. No damage or casualties

05/09/1940 15.30 Raweth British Pilot landed safe by parachute at the

Carpenters Arms P.H.

05/09/1940 15.30 Rayleigh A partly burnt German parachute found in a field at

rear of Fairview Club Arterial Road

05/09/1940 15.30 Laindon 1 – I.B. burnt out on the road opposite “St Cads”

Darnley Avenue. No damage or casualties.

05/09/1940 15.30 Runwell 2 – I.Bs near the Hospital. No damage or

casualties

05/09/1940 15.32 Hadleigh 1 – Cannon Shell unexploded in a garden of

“Homesliad” Lynton Road. No damage or casualties.

05/09/1940 15.45 Hawkwell A Polish Pilot Lapkonski from North Holt

Aerodrome landed by parachute in the Brickfields Rectory Road. Received a broken arm. Conveyed to Southend Municipal Hospital Rochford.

05/09/1940 16.00 Wallasea British Hurricane crashed near the Yacht Club.

Island Plane slightly damaged. Pilot Officer Robinson safe.

05/09/1940 17.00 Great Warley 1 – Cannon Shell unexploded in the garden of 63

Mount Crescent. No damage or casualties.

05/09/1940 17.05 Laindon British Hurricane crashed and badly smashed in a

field North of Markham Chase. Pilot Officer Robert Barton of North Weald safe.

05/09/1940 21.30 Raweth 2 – H.Es exploded 1 at Box Farm Water Lane.

Slight damage to Farm and 1 in Water Lane. Single Line Traffic 1/4 mile from the junction of Hullbridge Road. Telegraph pole broken. No casualties.

05/09/1940 22.20 Shenfield 6 – I.Bs 5 unexploded and 1 exploded and burnt

out in Hall Lane a mile North of the Chelmsford Road. No damage or casualties.

05/09/1940 Mountnessing 50 – I.Bx burnt out in fields at Swallows

Cross Farm. 2 Pig sties and a haystack fired. No casualties.

05/09/1940 22.30 Doddinghurst 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field behind

Batey’s bungalow. Harpers Lane Peartree Green. No damage or casualties.

05/09/1940 Billericay 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field 350 yards South

East of Salmons Farm (exploded the 14.9.40) No damage or casualties.

06/09/1940 01.35 Great 16 – I.Bs burnt out at Barling Road. Barns, pig

Wakering sties and a stable damaged. No casualties.

06/09/1940 02.40 Canvey 3 – H.Es in Tilburg Road, Denham Road and

Island Urmond Road. Some bungalows completely wrecked. No casualties.

06/09/1940 02.40 Canvey 3 – H.Es exploded in a field at Little Gypps Farm

Island near Furtherwick Gun Site. 2 cows badly injured

06/09/1940 02.55 Little Warley 8 – H.Es 1 is unexploded near Whips Wood Off

Bird Lane. No damage or casualties. B.D.S. 13.3.41

06/09/1940 02.56 Hutton 2 – I.Bs in the garden of “Holderhurst”, Park

Avenue and 1 in Hanging Hill Lane. No damage or casualties.

06/09/1940 04.08 Canvey 2 – H.Es at 40 Acres and Sea Wall. Sea Wall

Island damaged. No casualties

06/09/1940 10.00 Pitsea 1 – Cannon Shell unexploded. No damage or

casualties.

06/09/1940 12.00 Raweth 1 – Cannon Shell unexploded in a field at

Chichester Hall, London Road. No damage or casualties.

06/09/1940 14.18 Wakering 3 – H.Es 1 is unexploded 1/4 mile East of Rushley

Farm Rushley Island. No damage or casualties.

06/09/1940 15.20 Basildon British Spitfire made a forced landing. Under

carriage damaged Pilot Officer MacKenzie safe ( engine trouble).

07/09/1940 01.00 South 1 – H.E. or A.A. unexploded Shell in the centre of

Benfleet Brook Road. Brook Road closed. Damage to the road. No casualties.

07/09/1940 Hutton 2 – H.Es unexploded in Brook Meadow behind

stack yard at Cresseys Farm. No damage or casualties.

07/09/1940 17.10 Laindon German Twin Engine Bomber crashed 300 yards

West of Noak Hill Road. Machine burnt out. 2 of crew baled out and are safe.

07/09/1940 17.15 Laindon German Bomber crashed at Calvers Farm Dunton

Road. Machine burnt out. 2 of crew killed 1 safe.

07/09/1940 17.15 Downham German Dornier crashed and burnt out between

De Beavoir Chase and Railway Bridge. 1 of crew dead and 1 safe.

07/09/1940 17.30 Barling I.Bs number unknown. At Robers Farm and

Sewerage Works. No damage or casualties.

07/09/1940 18.00 Rayleigh British Spitfire burnt out at Louis Drive Wickford

Road. Pilot safe

07/09/1940 18.00 Great British Spitfire made a forced landing in Kimberly

Wakering Field Star Lane. Under carriage damaged. Pilot safe.

07/09/1940 19.30 Pilgrims 1 – Cannon Shell unexploded at Wainsfords Crow

Hatch Green Lane. No damage or casualties

07/09/1940 20.30 Great Barrage Balloon grounded at Alexander Road. No

Wakering damage or casualties.

07/09/1940 23.15 Pitsea 1 – H.E. exploded between “Lyrette” & “Glencre”

bungalows Junction Road. Slight damage to property. No casualties.

08/09/1940 00.05 East 2 – H.Es exploded in a field 500 yards West of East

Horndon Horndon Crossroads and 150 yards North of the

Arterial Road. No damage or casualties.

08/09/1940 00.40 South Weald I.Bs a number in fields between Spital Lane and

Vicarage Lane. In the vicinity of The Tower Arms P.H. No damage or casualties.

08/09/1940 00.40 Brentwood I.Bs a number near St Faiths Poultry Farm. No

damage or casualties.

08/09/1940 00.43 South I.Bs a number, 200 yards North of the junction of

Weald Hillside Walk and Weald Road. No damage or casualties.

08/09/1940 00.45 Pitsea 3 – H.Es exploded on Marsh Land. No damage or

casualties.

08/09/1940 00.45 Crays Hill I.Bs a number at Crays Hall. No damage or

casualties.

08/09/1940 00.50 Crays Hill 3 – H.Es unexploded in Friends Field Church Lane.

No damage or casualties.

08/09/1940 01.15 Billericay 2 – H.Es 1 is unexploded at Randall’s Nurseries,

Cox Farm Road, 2 casualties (slight). Gas main and road damaged. Cox Farm Road closed ( road open 9.9.40)

08/09/1940 01.15 Bowers I.Bs about 100 on South Staines Farm. No

Gifford damage or casualties.

08/09/1940 01.25 South 3 – H.Es 2 exploded in a wood between Benfleet

Benfleet Road and Kiln Road 300 to 500 yards North East of Water Lane. Also 1 unexploded in middle of the road at the top of Vicarage Hill ( road closed). Electric cable damaged. No casualties.

08/09/1940 02.05 Billericay I.Bs about 600 between Billericay and Crays Hill in

six fields. Two stacks of clover fired at Gurnards Farm, South Green. 400 yards North of Billericay to Wickford Road. No casualties.

08/09/1940 02.37 Coxtie Green 1 – I.B. at Ensworth Randalls field. Stack fired. No

casualties.

08/09/1940 03.30 Canvey 2 – H.Es 1 is unexploded in the centre of Canvey

Island Road between Northwick Corner and Canvey Bridge. Road closed. Telephone wires down. No casualties.

08/09/1940 06.30 Canvey Barrage Balloon grounded at Waterside Farm.

Island Secured to a telegraph pole.

08/09/1940 Canvey 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell at rear of garage at

Island Russets House, Canvey Road. No damage or casualties.

08/09/1940 South 2 – H.Es unexploded in a field by the side of Essex

Benfleet Way. Road B.1014 closed. H.Es 3 feet from the road and 300yards from the Water Tower. No casualties.

08/09/1940 11.00 Doddinghurst 1 – Canon Shell unexploded. No damage or

casualties.

08/09/1940 12.09 Coxtie Green 1 – I.B. and 7 Cannon Shells unexploded in fields

near Canterbury Tye. No damage or casualties

08/09/1940 Great Warley 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell near New Cottage by

side of road at Hole Farm. No damage or casualties.

08/09/1940 16.15 Great Warley Body of a German Airman found on Goodchilds

Farm. Captain Kuet Mescheder, 20 years. Parachute failed to open.

08/09/1940 21.18 Great 20 – I.Bs between Crays Hill and Barleylands

Burstead Farm. No damage or casualties.

09/09/1940 00.05 Laindon 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell fell in “Springfield”,

Basildon Rise. No damage or casualties.

09/09/1940 02.15 Doddinghurst 1 – H.E. exploded near Wacketts Farm. 2

cottages demolished. Chickens and animals buried.

09/09/1940 15.00 Pitsea 3 – H.Es 1 exploded and 2 unexploded found at Blue

House Farm Pitsea Marshes. No damage or casualties.

10/09/1940 00.45 East 1 – H.E. exploded in a field 20 yards East of Tilbury

Horndon Road and 400 yards South of the Arterial Road. Telephone wires down. 1 cow killed.

10/09/1940 03.25 Basildon 2 – H.Es exploded, 1 in pond South of the Arterial

Road at Brook Mount Estate between Arterial Road and Basildon Road and 1 exploded on the North side of the Arterial Road at junction of Ladysmith Avenue. Slight damage to cycle track and gas main. No casualties.

10/09/1940 03.30 Billericay 1 – H.E. exploded 20 yards from “Grassland”, The

Risings. Part of house blown down. Overhead electric cable damaged. No casualties.

10/09/1940 05.00 Vange 1 – H.E. exploded in a field at the rear of “Thames

View” Bell Hill Road. Slight damage to house. No casualties.

10/09/1940 09.30 Pitsea 1 – H.E. exploded 1/2 mile South of Railway line at

Blue House Farm Pitsea Marshes. No damage or casualties.

10/09/1940 Hadleigh 1 A.A. unexploded Shell in the front garden of

“Pinecot” Benfleet Road. No damage or casualties.

10/09/1940 10.00 Foulness Body of a German Airman found on the foreshore

Island of Potton Island. Parachute attached. Been in water a few days. No Identity Card. Moved to Southend Municipal Hospital Rochford. Name Horst Klaff.

10/09/1940 16.30 Little Warley 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field opposite Rectory

Chase 300 yards East of the road. No damage or casualties.

10/09/1940 22.50 Hutton 2 – H.Es exploded in a field 1/4 mile West of

Hutton Rectory. No damage or casualties.

10/09/1940 23.00 Downham 2 – H.Es exploded, 1 at The Elms, Brook Hill and 1

150 yards West of Brook Hill. Slight damage to property. No casualties.

10/09/1940 23.10 Great Warley 50 – I.Bs in the vicinity of Headley Common. North

Lodge Warley Place set on fire. No casualties.

10/09/1940 23.30 Great Warley 1 – H.E. exploded and 1 Oil I.B. burnt out on a

footpath between Holt Farm and Cranham Road. No damage or casualties.

10/09/1940 23.40 Mountnessing 10 – H.Es, 1 is unexploded in Hare Spring

Wood and 1 Oil I.B. burnt out at Lawness Farm. No damage or casualties.

10/09/1940 23.45 Mountnessing 1 – H.E. exploded in stack yard at

Mountnessing Hall Farm. Slight damage to property. No casualties.

10/09/1940 Great 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell near a haystack

Burstead at Granite Chase. No damage or casualties.

10/09/1940 North 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell 300 yards East of

Benfleet Fentons Hall. No damage or casualties.

11/09/1940 00.10 Brentwood I.Bs ( a number) Baptist Chapel, extensive

damage. Shenfield Common, no damage. 120 & 125 High Street, slight damage and 2 unexploded I.Bx Running Water Corner. No damage. Police property, slight damage. London Co-operative Stores, Brandons, Woolworths and Ursuline Convent, serious and extensive damage. Gas Company’s Sports Ground. No damage. Also in fields at Coxtie Green.

11/09/1940 00.10 Coxtie Green 10 – H.Es 2 exploded in fields adjoining Coxtie

Green Road Navestock end. 7 unexploded in the vicinity opposite Oakhurst Farm, 1 unexploded 100 yards from the entrance of Giffords Poultry Farm, slight damage to property. No casualties. Road closed from the White Horse to Wheelers Corner (road open 14.9.40) 5 of the unexploded H.Es exploded B.D.S. 16.10.41.

11/09/1940 00.30 Canvey 6 – H.Es exploded at Hole Haven Creek.

Island No damage or casualties

11/09/1940 01.15 Herongate 4 – H.Es exploded and 1 Oil I.B. burnt out in fields

at Fouchers Farm near Reservoir. No damage or casualties.

11/09/1940 01.30 Dunton 20 – I.Bs burnt out in fields North and South of the

Arterial Road near the Union Jack Café. No damage or casualties.

11/09/1940 02.00 Great Warley 2 – H.Es exploded in a field 1/4 mile West of the

junction Warley Lane and Codham Hall Lane. No damage or casualties.

11/09/1940 16.15 Great British Spitfire crashed and burnt out 200 yards

Burstead South of Will Farm Church Street. Pilot baled out safe at Pipps Hill Basildon.

11/09/1940 16.20 Shenfield British Spitfire crashed. Machine badly damaged

in field 1/2 mile South West of Palmers Farm. Pilot safe.

12/09/1940 03.15 Dunton 12 – I.Bs burnt out in fields adjoining Lower Avenue

and Marylands Chase. No damage or casualties.

12/09/1940 03.15 Nevendon 2 – H.Es unexploded 200 and 250 yards North of

the Arterial Road opposite the Police houses. No damage or casualties.

12/09/1940 Ramsden 1 – H.E. unexploded near De Beavois Chase. No

damage or casualties. B.D.S. 6.3.41

12/09/1940 03.15 North 1 – H.E. unexploded at Brickfields Farm Burnt Mills

Benfleet Road 150 yards from road. No damage or casualties.

12/09/1940 Ramsden 1 – H.E. or A.A. unexploded Shell in back garden

of “Rose Lodge”. No damage or casualties. B.D.S. 6.3.41

12/09/1940 03.48 Rochford I.Bs (a number) in a field at the bottom of Oak

Road 200 yards from Railway. No damage or casualties.

12/09/1940 Rochford 1 – H.E. unexploded 400 yards West of Mucking

Hall Wood. No damage or casualties.

12/09/1940 04.45 Brentwood 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in the back garden of

Hills Cottage, Warley Mount. No damage or casualties.

12/09/1940 Ingrave 1 – H.E. unexploded in a clover field at Thorndon

Park. No damage or casualties.

13/09/1940 11.30 Laindon I.Bs (about 100) at Laindon, Langden Hills and Lee

Chapel. 11 houses slightly damaged and 2 seriously. No casualties

13/09/1940 12.45 East I.Bs (about 50) in a field at the junction of Tilbury

Horndon Road and East Horndon round-a-bout. No damage or casualties.

13/09/1940 12.45 East 5 – H.Es exploded to the rear of a bungalow called

Horndon “Joslyn” Cadogan Avenue. No damage or casualties.

13/09/1940 Basildon 1 – H.E. or A.A. unexploded Shell at Canes Farm.

10 yards from bungalow. No damage or casualties. B.D.S. 6.3.41

13/09/1940 23.25 Hadleigh 1 – H.E. exploded on path at the Post Office at the

junction of Broughton & London Roads. Overhead telephone wires down. Damage to property. Footpath blocked. No casualties.

14/09/1940 03.10 Canewdon I.Bs (about 40) on Marshes between Norpits and

RaypitsFarm. No damage or casualties.

14/09/1940 03.30 Bowers 1 – H.E. exploded in back garden of 34 Highlands

Gifford Road Pound Lane. Slight damage to property. No casualties.

14/09/1940 05.20 Canvey 5 – H.Es 1 unexploded in Canvey Island Bus Coy

Island Garage. Leigh Beck, Point Road. Road B 1014 closed and 1 in High Beck School grounds. 1 exploded in the mud and 2 on the sea wall near the Casino. Slight damage to property. No casualties. Safe B.D.S. 4.11.40 road & school open.

14/09/1940 06.00 Vange Barrage Balloon grounded near Vange School.

Telephone and electric cables damaged.

14/09/1940 Lee Chapel 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field off Green Lane. No

damage or casualties,

14/09/1940 Basildon 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell 200 yards South East of

junction Gardeners Lane and Basildon Road at Irverns Farm. No damage or casualties.

14/09/1940 Vange 1 – A.A unexploded Shell in garden of “Eden

Lodge” Timberlog Lane. No damage or casualties.

14/09/1940 16.15 Rochford British Spitfire crashed and burnt out in a field

adjoining Rochford Aerodrome 100 yards West of Ann Boleyn P.H. Pilot killed.

14/09/1940 22.00 Hadleigh 2 – H.Es unexploded at the end of Rushbottom

Lane. No damage or casualties.

14/09/1940 22.00 Wickford 1 – H.E. exploded on a bungalow in Rectory Road.

Extensive damage. 1 slight casualty.

14/09/1940 22.05 North 6 – H.Es 1 unexploded opposite junction of Old

Benfleet Harrows Road and Arterial Road, 1 unexploded and 1 I.B. burnt out at Bonvilles Farm. No damage or casualties. Dealt with by B.D.S. 6.3.41

14/09/1940 23.00 Rochford 1 – H.E. exploded in the garden of a house in

Shopland. Slight damage to property (Motor cycle blown onto shed roof). No casualties.

14/09/1940 23.50 Hawkwell 2 – H.Es, 1 unexploded 100 yards West of Church

in a field (exploded at 08.20 the 15.9.40), 1 exploded 250 yards West of the Church. 1 slight casualty. Church spire broken off. Damage to a cottage and overhead electric cables.

14/09/1940 23.59 Little Warley 3 – H.Es exploded in a field 1/4 mile East of Hall

Lane and 500 yards South of Arterial Road. 1 cottage slightly damaged. No casualties.

15/09/1940 14.30 Vange 7 – H.Es unexploded, 1 side of road Claremont

Road, 50 yards South of Clay Hill, 1 in front of “Tolange” Collingwood Road, 1 in garden of “Oaklands” Bull Road, 1 in back garden of “William Cottage” Pitseaville Grove, 1 in orchard at Ravenscourt Drive, 50 yards South of Bull Road, 1 in road outside “St Ives” Rushleigh Drive and 1 in a field off Milemay Road. No damage or casualties. B.D.S. 14.10.40

15/09/1940 14.30 Pitsea 5 – H.Es unexploded, 1 in back garden of

“Kamarhate” Stanley Road, 1 in garden of “Kathleen Villa” Pitsea Road, 1 in garden of “Strathlene” The Avenue (safe 1.10.40) 1 in garden of “Herongate” Northlands Drive. No casualties. (Area declared safe by B.D.S. 26.9.40 Bull Road, Church Road and Clay Hill open) No damage.

15/09/1940 Fambridge 1 – H.E. exploded on the sea wall 1/2 mile to the

rear of Fambridge Hall. No casualties or damage.

15/09/1940 14.30 Pitsea British Hurricane crashed and burnt out at Majolica

Drive. Polish Pilot 302 Squadron from Duxford safe.

15/09/1940 14.36 Langdon German Dornier Bomber crashed and burnt

Hills out at Gladstone Road. Crew 3 dead, 1 baled out and captured at Cory Works Thames Haven.

15/09/1940 14.45 Raweth Flight Lieut. Chopik. No 76691 A Polish

Pilot from Leckonfield killed at Forty Acres. Removed to Southend Municipal Hospital Rochford. No trace of aircraft in this Division.

15/09/1940 14.45 Billericay British Hurricane crashed and burnt out in Smith’s

meadow, 300 yards West of “Archers Hall”. Pilot Officer Hessee bailed out safe.

15/09/1940 14.50 Foulness German Bomber crashed on the mud at Asplins

Island Head. Plane 500 yards from sea wall. Crew 3 injured and 2 uninjured (prisoners),

15/09/1940 14.50 Pitsea 1 – H.E. unexploded on L.M.S. Railway

embankment, 100 yards East of Timberlog Lane Bridge. No damage or casualties.

15/09/1940 15.30 Herongate British Hurricane made a forced landing at the rear

of “The Willows Farm”. Machine and Pilot safe. Short of petrol. Took off at 19-40.

15/09/1940 16.50 Basildon 1 – H.E. unexploded in the garden of “Alicia” Clay

Hill. No damage or casualties. B.D.S. 5.4.41.

15/09/1940 20.25 Basildon 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in a field opposite

Basildon Hall near “Beresford”. No damage or casualties. (safe 16.12.40).

16/09/1940 02.40 South Weald 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field adjoining Spital Lane

1/4 mile from A 12. No damage or casualties. Lane open disposed of B.D.S. 30.3.41.

16/09/1940 Herongate 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell 14 yards from Billericay

Road opposite Mount Thrift Farm. No damage or casualties

16/09/1940 11.55 Foulness 8 – H.Es exploded and about 1000 I.Bs burnt out

Island near Small Gains Farm. No damage or casualties.

16/09/1940 21.30 Canvey 5 – H.Es exploded near No 8 Gun Site of

Island 167th R.A. Battery at Northwick. Slight damage to property, 1 slight casualty (a soldier).

16/09/1940 22.35 Brentwood 1 – A.A. Shell exploded by side of Priests Lane.

Slight damage to property. 1 fatal casualty (Mr Burges)

16/09/1940 23.30 Thundersley 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field at rear of “The

Rookery” Church End. No damage or casualties.

16/09/1940 23.35 Brentwood 5 – H.Es exploded in Mascalls fields. 2 South of

L.N.E.R. and 3 20 yards North of L.N.E.R. 300 yards West of Mascalls Bridge. Telephone wires down on Railway. Damage to property. 4 horses wounded one had to be destroyed.

16/09/1940 23.35 Thundersley 1 – H.E. exploded near Nortons Depository, Bread

& Cheese Hill. Gas main, overhead telephone and electric cables damaged. London Road partly blocked. Depository completely wrecked and a bungalow badly damaged. 1 slight casualty (a female)

16/09/1940 23.40 Thundersley 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field East of “Acacia

Lodge” Mount Road (exploded 08-09 the 17th) No damage or casualties.

16/09/1940 23.45 South 3 – H.Es exploded in a field near Water Tower. No

Benfleet damage or casualties.

16/09/1940 23.55 Thundersley 1 – H.E. unexploded between 2nd & 3rd bungalow

Downer Road, South side of Bread & Cheese Hill. Damage to property and gas main. No casualties.

16/09/1940 23.55 Brentwood 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in back garden of

Carlton Mansion Warley Hill. No damage or casualties.

16/09/1940 Pitsea 1 – H.E. exploded on Marshes 600 yards North of

Land Reclamation Works. No damage or casualties.

17/09/1940 00.01 Childerditch 1 – H.E. exploded 200 yards East of Church, also

12 I.Bs in the vicinity and 1 Oil I.B. burnt out in a field 20 yards East of Childerditch Road opposite the Church. No casualties. Windows broken in the Rectory.

17/09/1940 Hadleigh 1 – H.E. exploded and 2 Oil I.Bs failed on Marshes.

50 yards from sea wall and 150 yards West of Fambridge Ferry Steps. Also 7 I.Bs between Droughton, Seymour, London & Chelmsford Road. No damage or casualties.

17/09/1940 00.30 Hadleigh I.Bs (a number) at “Olaf” Woodfield Road &

vicinity. Slight damage to property. No casualties.

17/09/1940 03.00 North 2 – H.Es exploded in a field at rear of “Homewood”

Benfleet Thistle Drive & adjoining South View Avenue. 1 Bungalow badly & others slightly damaged. No casualties.

17/09/1940 03.00 Langdon 5 – H.Es 3 exploded in fields at junction Lewooton

Hills Land & 2 unexploded at rear of Fobbing Farm. No damage or casualties.

17/09/1940 03.30 Bowers 1 – H.E. exploded and 1 I.B. burnt out in a

Gifford field, 150 yards from Arterial Road in Church Road. No damage or casualties.

17/09/1940 04.25 Canvey 6 – H.Es exploded, 2 at Westwick Farm, 2 at

Island Hole Haven Creek and 2 H.Es and 1 Oil I.B. burnt out 50 yards of land side of sea wall, 1 mile North of Lobster Smack. Also a large number of I.Bs near No 8 Gun Site and at Dutch Village. Damage to property. 2 slight casualties at Winter Gardens.

17/09/1940 Pilgrims 1 – H.E. exploded near The Forge Coxtie Green

Hatch Road. Overhead electric and telephone cables down. No casualties.

17/09/1940 04.30 Nevendon 2 – H.Es exploded, 1 at Romford Farm and 1

opposite the Post Office. Slight damage to property. No casualties.

17/09/1940 North 2 – A.A. unexploded Shells, 1 is 150 yards North

Benfleet and 1 1/4 mile North West of “Mona-Bene” Holmfield Avenue. No damage or casualties.

17/09/1940 Billericay Three cows electrocuted due to drifting Barrage

Balloon fouling electric cables.

17/09/1940 South 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in the garden of

Benfleet “Rosemead” London Road. No damage or casualties.

17/09/1940 04.30 Pitsea 1 – H.E. exploded in a field at Blue House Farm 20

yards North of Railway and 300 yards West of Church Road. No damage or casualties.

17/09/1940 Ingrave 1 – H.E. unexploded in Old Hall Wood Thorndon

Park near Hatch Farm (believed fell 12th). No damage or casualties. Not dealt with 23.7.41

17/09/1940 04.45 North I.Bs (a number) near North Benfleet Hall Bardfields

Benfleet Farm Smith’s Farm, Fanton Hall & Cotswold Farm. No damage or casualties.

17/09/1940 05.55 South 4 – H.Es exploded in fields at Jotmans Farm. No

Benfleet damage or casualties.

17/09/1940 09.20 Rayleigh 3 – H.Es exploded in a Nursery off Downs Road. 1

slight casualty. Slight damage to property.

17/09/1940 12.28 Pitsea Body of German Airman found on Marshes behind

the Land Reclamation Works Ltd. Parachute partly open. Rank Captain Ludwig Dethner. Identity Label A.B.L. 51578 Disc 27697

17/09/1940 20.00 Ingrave 1 – H.E. unexploded 500 yards to rear of Thrift

Cottage. Also 1 A.A. unexploded Shell in Thrift Wood behind Thrift Cottage Hanging Wood Lane. No damage or casualties. A.A. B.D.S. 2.12.40?

17/09/1940 20.30 Herongate 1 – Oil I.B. burnt out in garden of “Berrie House”.

No damage or casualties.

17/09/1940 20.50 Shenfield 1 – H.E. exploded in garden of “Clifton House”

Worrin Road. Slight damage to property. No casualties.

17/09/1940 20.50 Ingrave 2 -H.Es exploded near The Rectory. Damage to

property. Electric and telephone cables down. 1 slight casualty.

17/09/1940 21.00 Crays Hill 1 – H.E. exploded in a garden of “Outlands”

Gardeners Lane. Slight damage to property. No casualties.

17/09/1940 21.10 Basildon 1 – H.E. exploded near The Rectory. Water and

Gas mains damaged. Sewer damaged. Slight damage to property. No casualties.

17/09/1940 21.20 Basildon 2 – H.Es unexploded in fields at Bury Farm, 1 West

side of Gardeners Lane, 500 yards North of Arterial Road and 1 120 yards South of Farm. No damage or casualties.

18/09/1940 00.05 Shenfield 2 – H.Es exploded at “Hillrise” & “Kynnersley”

Worrin Road. Slight damage to property. No casualties.

18/09/1940 00.15 Brentwood 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field at Calcott Hall Farm

Ongar Road. No damage or casualties.

18/09/1940 01.35 North 1 – H.E. exploded in a field at Bardfield Farm. 2

Benfleet Poultry houses destroyed and windows broken in bungalow. No casualties.

18/09/1940 01.35 Vange 1 – H.E. exploded 50 yards South of Railway line

and 2 Oil I.Bs burnt out in fields 50 yards East of “Gordon House” Timberlog Lane. No damage or casualties.

18/09/1940 01.40 Pitsea 1 – H.E. exploded in a field at May Farm Briscoe

Road. No damage or casualties.

18/09/1940 01.48 Pitsea 1 – H.E. exploded in a field 200 yards from

Felmores Farm Briscoe Road. Slight damage to property. No casualties.

18/09/1940 02.15 Great Warley I.Bs (a number) in vicinity of Headley Common.

Hedge on fire. No casualties.

18/09/1940 03.00 Raweth I.Bs (a number) burnt out in fields at Humas’s

Farm Water Lane. No damage or casualties.

18/09/1940 03.15 South Weald 2 – H.Es unexploded and 1 Oil I.B. burnt out in

fields at Boyles Court. Water main damaged. No casualties.

18/09/1940 03.45 Canvey I.Bs (a number) burnt out at Hole Haven Creek.

Island No damage or casualties.

18/09/1940 12.30 Nevendon 1 – H.E. exploded in a field 120 yards at rear of

Police houses. Slight damage to Police property. No casualties.

18/09/1940 16.00 Hawkwell 1 – Cannon Shell unexploded in garden of

“Eltham”. No damage or casualties.

18/09/1940 Basildon 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell 100 yards North of

Rectory Road. No damage or casualties.

18/09/1940 17.20 Hadleigh 1 – H.E. exploded in a field on West Hill Salvation

Army Colony, 200 yards North of Railway lines. No damage or casualties.

18/09/1940 17.30 Rayleigh German Airman landed by parachute in a field by

Old Barn Farm Wickford Road. Abrasions on face.

18/09/1940 17.30 Bowers German Junkers 88 bomber crashed and burnt out

Gifford on Marshes South of Railway lines and 1 mile West of Church. Crew 2 bailed out. 1 Jacob Wene 28 years safe at Maldon, 1 dead at Vange and Gefrey Hans Bushbeck 23 years dead at Billericay Hospital.

18/09/1940 17.30 Thundersley German Airman’s broken parachute straps found

in garden of “Great Tarpots”. Thought to belong to the dead German at Vange.

18/09/1940 Canvey 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in a field 300 yards from

Island Central Avenue Winter Gardens. No damage or casualties.

18/09/1940 20.30 Great Warley 6 – H.Es exploded in vicinity of Susses Road. 6

slight casualties. Extensive damage to property.

18/09/1940 Rochford 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell on path in allotments at

back of Slomans Cottage Ashingdon Road. No damage or casualties.

18/09/1940 20.30 Brentwood 2 – H.Es 1 exploded and 1 unexploded in a field off

Honeypot Lane 20 yards North and 400 yards East of Hill Road. No damage or casualties.

18/09/1940 Vange 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field 50 yards South of

Railway Lines Timberlog Lane. No damage or casualties.

18/09/1940 20.30 Brentwood 1 – H.E. exploded in a disused well at rear of 22

Cromwell Road. No damage or casualties.

18/09/1940 20.32 Shenfield I.Bs (a number) on Shenfield Common on grounds

of Ursuline Convent & Cornslands. No damage or casualties.

18/09/1940 20.45 South Weald 1 – H.E. exploded in a field North of Half-way

House Farm 150 yards from Weald Road. No damage or casualties.

18/09/1940 20.58 Rayleigh A German white silk parachute found at Walfords

Farm Hullbridge Road.

18/09/1940 22.30 Mountnessing 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell 15 yards to rear

of 5 Tobey Lane. In a field of Bakers Farm. No damage or casualties.

18/09/1940 23.15 Brentwood 1 – H.E. unexploded behind Sports Pavilion on Gas

Company Sports Ground. No damage or casualties.

19/09/1940 00.30 Little Warley 4 – H.Es exploded in a field North side of Arterial

Road 1 is 200 yards East and the remainder 500 yards West of Warley Street. No damage or casualties.

19/09/1940 04.00 Hutton 2 – H.Es unexploded, 1 in garden of “Normanhurst”

and 1 in garden of next house. No damage or casualties. (Disposed of by B.D.S. 18.10.40?)

19/09/1940 04.00 Shenfield 1 – H.E. unexploded in garden of “Oddicom”

Shenfield Gardens. No damage or casualties

19/09/1940 04.00 Hutton 7 – H.Es unexploded at Hutton Residential

Schools. 1 through a shelter causing 3 slight casualties. Slight damage to property. B.D.S. ? Some outstanding.

19/09/1940 04.00 Wickford 10 – H.Es, 1 is unexploded. All in fields 100 yards

from Cemetery Nevendon Road. No damage or casualties. 17.1.41 B.D.S.

19/09/1940 Wickford 2 – H.Es exploded in a field near “Brentford Lodge”

Nevendon Road. Slight damage to property. No casualties.

19/09/1940 05.00 Brentwood 1 – H.E. exploded 30 yards North of Railway lines

near Nags Head Lane. No damage or casualties.

19/09/1940 05.00 Little Warley 3 – H.Es exploded, 1 on road and 2 in fields 150

yards West of Warley Crossroads. Up track S.L.T. Telephone cables damaged. No casualties.

19/09/1940 14.00 Basildon 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in a field at Friens Farm

400 yards South West of Farm house. No damage or casualties.

19/09/1940 21.30 Ramsden 1 – H.E. exploded at rear of “Cassels” Church

Bell House Road. Slight damage to property No casualties.

19/09/1940 21.40 Crays Hill 1 – Oil I.B. burnt out in garden of “Woodside”

London Road. No damage or casualties.

19/09/1940 21.40 Foulness 2 – H.Es 1 exploded and 1 unexploded and 1 I.B.

Island burnt out at Nazewick Farm. No damage or casualties. B.D.S. 8.11.41

19/09/1940 21.45 Crays Hill 3 – H.Es exploded on main road. Crays Hill. Road

blocked for 500 yards West of Gardeners Lane A.129. Water and gas mains damaged. No casualties.

19/09/1940 21.48 North 3 – H.Es 2 exploded and 1 unexploded in Little

Benfleet Hills meadow Fanton Hall Farm. 1 two near Pylon SEE/PD.11. Unexploded 50 yards South of Railway bridge (taken away by B.D.S. 12.10.40). No damage or casualties.

19/09/1940 21.50 Doddinghurst I.Bs (a number) in fields between Outings

Land & Church Lane. No damage or casualties.

19/09/1940 22.05 Downham I.Bs ( a number) in fields near Hawkeswood Road

& De Beanwood Lane Crows Heath. No damage or casualties.

20/09/1940 00.45 Pitsea 1 – H.E. unexploded 3/4 mile along inner wall of

Small Gains Creek, East of “Creek House”. No damage or casualties.

20/09/1940 01.00 Basildon 1 – H.E. exploded at “Gordon Lodge” Rectory

Road. House demolished. Road blocked (open 20.9.40). Water and gas mains damaged, electric cables down. Slight damage to other houses, 2 slight casualties (shock).

20/09/1940 01.30 Bowers 1 – H.E. exploded 40 yards North of Laindon Road

Gifford and 70 yards East of Sadlers Farm. No damage or casualties.

20/09/1940 03.15 Vange 1 – H.E. exploded in a field at Marsh Farm

Brickfields Road. No damage or casualties.

20/09/1940 04.00 Bowers 2 – H.Es exploded 400 yards South and 250

Gifford yards South West of Smoky Farm. No damage or casualties.

20/09/1940 04.49 Canvey I.Bs (a number) at Waterside Farm. No damage or

Island casualties.

20/09/1940 04.50 Canvey 2 – H.Es exploded 300 yards East of No 8 Gun Site

Island Northwick. No damage or casualties.

20/09/1940 05.00 Canvey I.Bs (a number) in fields at Leeches Farm. No

Island damage or casualties.

20/09/1940 22.50 Wickford I.Bs (a number) 75 yards East of Railway Station,

No damage or casualties.

20/09/1940 Brentwood 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in garden of 88 Costead

Manor Road. No damage or casualties.

20/09/1940 Little Warley 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field 300 yards South of

“Beredens” Front Lane. No damage or casualties. B.D.S. 3.5.41.

20/09/1940 Ingrave 1 H.E. unexploded in a field at Botany Hill Farm,

35 yards East of Blind Lane & 300 yards North of Botany Hill. No damage or casualties.

20/09/1940 23.00 Crays Hill I.Bs (a number) burnt out in a field off Church

Lane. No damage or casualties.

20/09/1940 23.00 Mountnessing 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field North East of

Westlands Farm. No damage or casualties.

20/09/1940 23.15 Wickford I.Bs (a number) at rear of “The Chase” London

Road. No damage or casualties.

21/09/1940 03.00 Great 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field at Stony Hills Farm.

Warley No damage or casualties.

21/09/1940 03.00 Little 2 – H.Es 1 exploded and 1 unexploded on

Burstead greensward 400 yards North of junction Dunton and Rectory Roads. Slight damage to road (the unexploded H.E. exploded 5.10.40 road open). No casualties.

21/09/1940 03.30 Pitsea The roof of 8 houses damaged by shrapnel from

A.A. gun fire at Howards Crescent. No casualties.

21/09/1940 04.00 East 1 – H.E. unexploded on footpath South side of

Horndon Arterial Road 300 yards East of Moor Lane. (A.127 closed). Telephone cables down. No casualties.

21/09/1940 04.00 Billericay I.Bs (a number) at Outward Farm. No damage or

casualties.

21/09/1940 04.20 Crays Hill I.Bs (a number) between Crays Hall Farm and

“The Parsonage”. Slight damage to Crays Hall. No casualties.

21/09/1940 Shenfield 1 – H.E. unexploded under floor of room of “Tirley”

Priests Lane. Damage to property. No casualties. (removed 8.10.40 by B.D.S.)

21/09/1940 20.30 Wickford 1 – H.E. exploded in mid-air at “Westview”, The

Chase London Road. 1 slight casualty. Slight damage to property.

21/09/1940 21.30 Hockley 1 parachute mine unexploded in garden of

“Mornings Quest” Aldermans Hill Road B.1013 blocked. No damage or casualties. (Rendered harmless by Admiralty 22nd removed 24th)

21/09/1940 21.45 Great Warley 2 – H.Es exploded near the Church, Warley Street.

Structural damage doors and windows blown in. Slight damage to cottages. No casualties.

21/09/1940 22.00 South 2 – Parachute mines, 1 exploded and 1

Fambridge unexploded on Beckney Marshes. 11/4 miles South West of South Fambridge Ferry Steps (the unexploded was exploded by B.D.S. 6.10.40). No damage or casualties.

21/09/1940 22.09 Rayleigh 1 – Parachute mine unexploded at entrance of the

Recreation ground. (Rendered harmless by Admiralty 22nd). No damage or casualties.

21/09/1940 22.20 Basildon Damage to roof of Post Office Church Road by

shrapnel No casualties.

21/09/1940 22.28 Wickford 1 – Parachute mine exploded 100 yards West of

Elder Avenue. Damage to property, 3 slight casualties.

21/09/1940 22.35 Nevendon 1 – Parachute mine exploded in mid-air 50 yards

South of Nevendon Hall Farm. No damage or casualties.

21/09/1940 22.50 Laindon 1 – Parachute mine unexploded 75 yards North

West end of Bourne Avenue (exploded by Admiralty 27th). Extensive damage to property. No casualties.

21/09/1940 South 1 – Parachute mine unexploded at Jotmans Lane

Benfleet 300 yards from Railway bridge and 40 feet from Railway. Train service suspended (rendered harmless by Admiralty and burnt by B.D.S. 7.10.40) No damage or casualties.

21/09/1940 23.00 Basildon 1 – Parachute mine exploded 50 yards West of

Honeypot Lane Basildon Road (rendered safe by Admiralty 26th and burnt by B.D.S. 26th November 1940) No damage or casualties.

21/09/1940 23.00 Basildon 1 – Parachute mine unexploded in a field 70 yards

East of Honeypot Lane. No parachute attached (rendered safe by Admiralty 23rd and destroyed by burning by B.D.S. 7.10.40). No damage or casualties.

21/09/1940 23.00 Laindon 1 – Parachute mine unexploded in a field North

side of Dunton Road 300 yards West of Fortune-of-War P.H. (Dunton Road blocked between Fortune-of-War and Rectory Road) Mine exploded 16-00 the 22nd. Damage to 30 houses 2 children killed (Patrick G Cooksey, 15 years and James H Howard 14 year) Identification circumstantial.

22/09/1940 00.27 Canvey 1 – H.E. exploded on a domestic shelter in garden

Island of “Fenwick” Church Parade Winter Gardens. Damage to property. No casualties.

22/09/1940 21.00 Pilgrims 1 – H.E. unexploded in part of field 200 yards North

Hatch of White Horse P.H. and 300 yards from road. No damage or casualties.

23/09/1940 08.30 Laindon Electric cables damaged by shrapnel from A.A.

gun fire in Elizabeth Drive 100 yards East of Northumberland Avenue. No casualties.

23/09/1940 Laindon 1 – H.E. exploded in a field 300 yards South of

Arterial Road and 50 yards West of Lower Dunton Road. Slight damage to property, no casualties.

23/09/1940 Coxtie Green 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in a field 100 yards

South of Coxtie Green Road and 100 yards East of Park Lane. No damage or casualties.

23/09/1940 North 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in a ditch on North side

Benfleet of Burnt Mills Road. No damage or casualties.

23/09/1940 Great Warley 1 – H.E. and 1 – A.A. Shell both unexploded in

garden of “Woodside Cottage” Warley Road Upminster Common. No damage or casualties.

23/09/1940 21.30 Little Warley 1 – Parachute mine exploded near Little Warley

Hall. No damage or casualties.

23/09/1940 21.30 South Weald 1 – H.E. unexploded in Workers field 100 yards

from Lincoln Road and 100 yards from Workers Cottage. No damage or casualties (exploded by B.D.S. 24.9.40).

23/09/1940 21.30 Coxtie Green 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field 200 yards West of

Lincoln Farm. No damage or casualties.

23/09/1940 Night Vange Horse killed by shrapnel 4 inches long through

corrugated iron roof of stables at “Longmond” Ravens Court Drive.

23/09/1940 22.30 South Weald I.Bs (a number) in fields and gardens at Weald

Side. No damage or casualties.

23/09/1940 22.30 Shenfield 3 – H.Es exploded and 3 Oil I.Bs burnt out in fields

at Palmers Farm. 4 cows, 2 heifers and 1 bullock slaughtered and 1 heifer slightly injured.

23/09/1940 Mountnessing 1 – H.E. unexploded at South West corner

of field at junction of Mountnessing Road and Padhams corner near Buttsbury Wash. No damage or casualties.

23/09/1940 22.35 Herongate 3 – H.Es exploded in a field 30 yards South of “Old

Ship Cottage” Hatch Farm. No damage or casualties.

23/09/1940 Mountnessing 3 – H.Es exploded in a field 500 yards East

of Westland Farm. No damage or casualties.

23/09/1940 23.40 Billericay 1 – H.E. exploded and 1 Oil I.B. burnt out on lawn

of “Norsey Manor” Slight damage to property, no casualties.

23/09/1940 23.59 Billericay 2 – H.Es exploded in gardens of “Belvedere” and

“Banlah” Jacksons Lane. Shed demolished and slight damage to other property. No casualties.

23/09/1940 24.00 Ingrave 1 – H.E. exploded in a field 40 yards from

Childerditch Hall and 2 Oil I.Bs burnt out in Wilson’s Orchard Childerditch. No damage or casualties.

24/09/1940 08.45 Herongate 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in garden of “Lokaja”

No damage or casualties.

24/09/1940 09.00 Billericay A British aeroplane engine found in a field 300

yards West of Mill Hill Wood.

24/09/1940 09.30 East Horndon 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell near hedge on

West side of Moor Lane opposite Folfs Farm (road closed) open 18-10 24th. No damage or casualties. B.D.S. 16.10.41

24/09/1940 Laindon 1 – A.A. exploded Shell in garden of

“Avonlea” Highwich Drive Primrose Estate. No damage or casualties.

24/09/1940 20.45 Raweth 11 – H.Es 1 exploded between Council houses and

Gooses Cottages, 8 exploded and 2 unexploded in fields between Burrels Farm and Beeches Road Crossing Road A. 130. No damage or casualties. (Unexploded disposed of by B.D.S. 4.10.40)

24/09/1940 Coxtie Green 2 – A.A. unexploded Shells at Coxtie Green Farm,

100 yards from road.

24/09/1940 21.30 Great Warley 1 – Parachute mine unexploded in Hartswood. No

damage or casualties. (exploded 29th by R.Es damage to property).

24/09/1940 21.45 Little Warley Damage to roof and windows at Little Warley Hall

and cottages nearby. Cause (H.E. on Upminster beat. No casualties.

24/09/1940 21.45 East Horndon 2 – H.Es exploded on permanent way of

LMSR 200 yards West of bridge over Little Warley Lane. Light engine derailed. No casualties. (Line open 26th)

24/09/1940 22.00 Wickford 2 – H.Es exploded in a field West of 5th Avenue

Shotgate. No damage or casualties.

24/09/1940 22.55 Little 1 – Parachute mine exploded in a field 400 yards

Burstead South West of St Margarettes Farm. 6 sheep destroyed.

24/09/1940 23.05 Little I.Bs ( a number) in fields at Botony Hill Farm. No

Burstead damage or casualties.

24/09/1940 23.10 Crays Hill 1 – Parachute mine unexploded 30 yards from a

house and 100 yards South of A.129 Wickford to Billericay (road blocked) (exploded 4.10.40 by B.D.S.) Telephone wires down 50 houses damaged, 7 seriously. No casualties.

25/09/1940 08.05 Hutton 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell 20 yards North of Collins

Farm. No damage or casualties. B.D.S. 30.4.41

25/09/1940 Laindon 1 – A.A. unexploded 70 yards South of junction Dry

Street and Leawooton. No damage or casualties.

25/09/1940 Laindon 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell on footpath outside

“Fraji”. No damage or casualties.

25/09/1940 13.30 Raweth 1 – H.E. exploded 100 yards East of Highlands

Farm. No damage or casualties.

25/09/1940 21.30 Coxtie Green 2 – H.Es exploded in a field opposite Gilstead Hall

300 yards from road on Mc Turks land. No damage or casualties.

25/09/1940 22.30 Mountnessing 1 – Parachute mine exploded in mid-air over

fields at rear of Woodlands Farm. No damage or casualties.

25/09/1940 22.30 Mountnessing 1 – Parachute mine unexploded in a field at

rear of Bullmans Farm Swallows Cross. No damage or casualties.

25/09/1940 23.20 Billericay 1 – Parachute mine exploded in mid-air between

Mountnessing Road and Western Road. No damage or casualties.

25/09/1940 23.25 Billericay 1 – Parachute mine exploded at rear of “Kiaora”

South Green 1 slight casualty 25 houses badly damaged.

25/09/1940 23.30 Great 1 – Parachute mine exploded 100 yards South of

Burstead road A.129, opposite Culle’s Metal Works. Factory damaged extensive damage to houses. 40 people homeless, 6 slight casualties.

26/09/1940 01.15 Foulness 8 – H.Es exploded near Military Road at Landwick.

Island No damage or casualties.

26/09/1940 02.15 Vange 1 – H.E. exploded in garden of “Parva” South View

Road. Extensive damage to property. No casualties.

26/09/1940 Little 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in garden of “Clements”

Burstead Broomhill Estate. No damage or casualties.

26/09/1940 Pitsea 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell 500 yards North of Land

Reclamation Works Ltd. And 400 yards East of Sea Transport Stores. No damage or casualties.

26/09/1940 15.25 Basildon 1 – H.E. exploded in a field 500 yards North West

of junction Gardeners & Rectory Lanes. No damage or casualties.

26/09/1940 Great Warley 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in a field 40 yards South

of Codham Hall Lane and 1/4 mile West of Warley Street. No damage or casualties.

26/09/1940 21.40 Vange 1- Parachute mine exploded in a field at Tomkins

Farm 600 yards from A.13. 1 horse and 7 cows killed others injured. Extensive damage to property.

26/09/1940 22.00 Downham 1 – Parachute mine exploded near “Kites”. No

damage or casualties.

26/09/1940 22.00 Ramsden 1 – Parachute mine exploded in a field 300 yards

Heath East of Church Road. Damage to Police houses. No casualties.

26/09/1940 22.00 Laindon 1 – Parachute mine unexploded in a field between

Leatwooton Lane and Bell Hill Road 600 yards North of Dry Street. Road closed. (rendered safe by Admiralty 27th, road open exploded 5.10.40. No damage or casualties.

27/09/1940 02.00 Pitsea 3 – H.Es exploded on Marshes 1/4 mile East of

Sea Transport Stores. No damage or casualties.

27/09/1940 Hutton 1 – H.E. exploded 100 yards North and 1 – A.A.

unexploded Shell 1/4 mile West of Cresseys Farm. No damage or casualties. B.D.S. 30.4.41

27/09/1940 Thundersley Damage to roof and property by shrapnel at

“Highfield” Rayleigh Road. No casualties.

27/09/1940 Night Brentwood 1 – Parachute mine unexploded in Donkeyland

Plantation. No damage or casualties. (exploded by R.Es 29th Damage to surrounding property).

27/09/1940 East 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in a field 1/4 mile East of

Horndon Dunton Hills Farm house. No damage or casualties.

28/09/1940 01.25 Ramsden 2 – H.Es exploded. 1 Fourty acre plantation and 1

Heath in field off Outward Common Road. Slight damage to property. Telephone wires down. No casualties.

28/09/1940 02.15 Great Warley I.Bs (a number) in vicinity of Woodman Road and

Headley Chase. No damage or casualties.

28/09/1940 02.20 Downham 5 – H.Es exploded. 1 is 10 feet from Railway 300

yards West of Castledon Road Bridge and 4 in lane to “De Beavoir House”. Extensive damage to property. No casualties.

28/09/1940 04.00 Pitsea No 4 Haywards Crescent (Council Property)

damaged by shrapnel to roof. No casualties.

28/09/1940 04.05 Ramsden I.Bs (a number) in a field 1/4 mile North of the

Heath Searchlight Post near Mill Lane. “Longleigh” a bungalow burnt out. No casualties.

28/09/1940 09.00 East 1 -A.A. unexploded Shell in a field 100 yards North

Horndon of L.M.S. Railway and 100 yards West of Hall Lane. No damage or casualties.

28/09/1940 23.10 Thundersley Roof of “Hillside” Rayleigh Road damaged by

shrapnel. No casualties.

29/09/1940 06.45 Rayleigh 1 – I.B burnt out in a garden at rear of bungalow in

Nelson Road. No damage or casualties.

29/09/1940 07.15 Hockley I.Bs (a number) burnt out in fields of Lovedowns

Farm Lower Road. Also machine gunning of cattle and buildings. No damage or casualties.

29/09/1940 Rayleigh 1 – I.B. unburnt in hedge at Trinity Road. No

damage or casualties. (deposited at Rochford Police Station)

29/09/1940 South 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in a field at “Rochetts”

Weald Near Searchlight Post 30 yards from road. No damage or casualties.

30/09/1940 Great Warley 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in a field 10 yards South

East of electric light pole at corner of wood near “Warley Lodge” stables. No damage or casualties. B.D.S. 28.4.41

30/09/1940 17.35 Nevendon Parachute of pilot and engine of a Spitfire which

crashed 5.9.40, found in a field at Nevendon.

The Battle of Britain

Sep15

The Battle of Britain

The Battle of Britain has been described as the first major military campaign fought entirely in the air. The Royal Air Force (RAF) defended Britain against large scale attacks by the Luftwaffe, Germany’s air force. The battle’s duration lasted from 10th July 1940 until the 30th October 1940 which was overlapped by the period of The Blitz. Lasting from the 7th September 1940 until the 11th May 1941 the Blitz was an attack of continued night-time bombing operations on Britain when daylight attacks proved to be unsustainable. The Battle of Britain and the Blitz marked the first major defeat of Germany’ military forces when their operations failed to give Germany air superiority over Britain. The planned land invasion of Britain, code-named Operation Sea Lion, was cancelled on 17^th September 1940 and was never put into action.

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With the fall of France in June 1940, German dictator Adolf Hitler wanted to humiliate France by having them sign the surrender document in the same carriage and the same siding that Germany had signed the Armistice in 1918. Hitler then turned his attention to Britain where he believed he could attain a swift victory to concentrate on territories to the east. He ordered the occupation of the Channel Islands. On the 28^th June 1940 the Germans bombed the islands and full occupation was completed by the 4^th July 1940. The Channel Islands were the only part of Britain to be occupied.

On the 2^nd July 1940 Hitler ordered the German “High Command of the Armed Forces” to begin preliminary planning for the invasion of Britain code-named Operation Sea Lion. The Luftwaffe bombed the Welsh city of Cardiff on the 3^rd, 10^th and 12^th July 1940 with the dock areas primarily the target as they were the largest coal-port in the world. Cardiff was confirmed as the capital of Wales in 1955.

Further bombing by the Luftwaffe targeting mainly coastal-shipping convoys and ports began on the 10^th July1940. The Royal Air Force (RAF) defended the attacks on the south coast. The forthcoming battle took its name from Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s speech to the House of Commons on the 18^th June 1940. Churchill’s speech was – “What General Weygand called the Battle of France is over. I expect the Battle of Britain is about to begin”.

Failure to achieve air superiority and bad weather over the Channel resulted in the postponement, on the 5^th August 1940, of the invasion of Britain. The Battle of Britain began on the 13^th August 1940 when the Luftwaffe began a two week assault which focussed their bombing raids on British airfields and radar stations in preparation for an invasion. German bombers, even though they had fighter escorts, took massive losses when British fighters were waiting for them owing to the information received from their radar stations. Downed RAF pilots on home soil could fight again while German pilots became prisoners of war. By the 15^th August 1940 the Luftwaffe abandoned the air attacks on the radar stations to concentrate on RAF bases. They were hampered by poor aircraft range and the British extensive use of radar.

In a speech to the House of Commons on the 20^th August 1940 Churchill gave his famous speech about “The Few” referring to the RAF crews who were fighting the Battle of Britain.

On the 25^th August 1940 the Luftwaffe bombed St. Giles Cripplegate Church located in the City of London at Moorgate. Whether the bombing was deliberate or not will never be known but the target was well away from any industrial sites. On the 25^th August 1940 Churchill ordered the bombing of Berlin as retaliation and on the 26^th August 1940 British bombers flew over for the first time. Only superficial damage was done but the raid was a success. Inefficient use of searchlights and anti-aircraft guns enabled the British bombers to return

On the 3^rd September 1940 having failed to gain control of the skies over Britain Hitler ordered a postponement of the invasion of Britain. By the 10^th September 1940 Hitler agreed the invasion should begin on the 14^th September 1940. The navy proposed a revised date of the 24^th September 1940 as they did not have sufficient landing craft ready and were waiting for the correct tides in the Channel and hoping for decent weather. In the meantime, the Luftwaffe was instructed to intensify the air raids on Britain. By the 17^th September 1940 Hitler was convinced Operation Sea Lion was not viable and therefore postponed the invasion of Britain indefinitely.

On the 10^th September 1940 the Corpa Aereo Itataliano (CAI) was formed after Italian dictator Benito Mussolini insisted an element of the Italian Air Force should assist his German ally during the Battle of Britain and the Blitz.

On the night of the 24^th/25^th October 1940 the Italian Air Force conducted their first raid on Britain when they attacked Harwich and Felixstowe. Their next major operations on the 29^th October 1940 when Italian bombers escorted by fighter aircraft bombed Ramsgate.

The Battle of Britain ended on the 31^st October 1940 when just 3000 RAF pilots broke the will of the Luftwaffe. The bombing raids were changed from day-light to night-time attacks against London on the 7^th September 1940 known as the Blitz.

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BATTLE OF BRITAIN DAY

Battle of Britain Day is given to the day of the large-scale aerial battle that took place on the 15^th September 1940. The climax of the Battle of Britain was when the Luftwaffe embarked on a large all-out attack against London where 1,500 aircraft took part in the air battles, which lasted until dusk. The designated annual commemoration of BATTLE OF BRITAIN DAY is therefore the 15^th September.

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THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC

Sep1

THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC

A major part of the naval history of the Second World War was the Battle of the Atlantic. Included in this theatre of war was the North Sea. The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous military campaign running from 1939 to the defeat of Germany in 1945.

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1940

(July to December)

On the 2^nd July 1940 Adolf Hitler ordered the German High Command to prepare for Operation Sea Lion. Part of the preparation was that minefields and U-boats would be positioned in the English Channel to limit the threat posed by the Royal Navy.

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On the 1^st August 1940 the Italian Royal Navy established a submarine base at Betasom near Bordeaux. In accordance with the signing of the Pact of Steel with Germany in June 1939, Italy was expected to participate in the Battle of the Atlantic when they entered the war in June 1940 on the side of the Germans.

A British destroyer flotilla sailed from Immingham to the Dutch coast to lay mines on the 31^st August 1940. Reconnaissance aircraft had located a German force heading for Britain. The flotilla was ordered to intercept but before engaging with the enemy they ran into an unchartered minefield. Two destroyers were sunk and another had to be towed back to their base. The German invasion force turned out to be a small mine-laying unit transferring from Cuxhaven to Rotterdam.

American President Roosevelt approved the “Destroyer for Bases Agreement” on the 30^th August 1940. America exchanged fifty destroyers for the right to operate, either naval or air bases, on nine various British colonies near the U.S. eastern coastline.

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In the month of October 1940 German U-boats inflicted heavy convoy losses in the Atlantic as they sank 39 allied vessels.

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Acting Captain Edward Steven Fogarty Fegan was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on the 5^th November 1940. Fegan commanded the armed merchant cruiser HMS Jervis Bay who was escorting a convoy of thirty seven ships in the North Atlantic. When they were attacked by German pocket Battleship Admiral Scheer, Jervis Bay immediately engaged with the enemy head on and maintained an unequal battle for three hours. This engagement gave the convoy time to scatter. When the out-gunned and burning Jervis Bay finally sank, the badly wounded Fegan went down with his ship.

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During the course of December 1940 a total of forty one ships (234,707 tons) were sunk by German U-boats with a further nine ships (73,141 tons) damaged. The total number of ships damaged or sunk in 1940 was five hundred and sixty three.

THE SECOND WORLD WAR September 1940

Sep1

THE SECOND WORLD WAR September 1940

(Britain)

Radio Belgique was established on the 18^th September`1940 and the first broadcast from the BBC in London was on the 28^th September 1940 to Nazi-occupied Belgium. The broadcast was in French and Dutch with Victor de Laveleye in control of the French service and Jan Moedwil in control of the Dutch service. The Germans immediately created a collaborationist radio station to the Belgian audience to obviate the potential effect Radio Belgique could have on their control of information broadcasted to the occupied country.

On the 23^rd September 1940 the British and Free French Force troops attempted landing at the port of Dakar in French West Africa. Brigadier Charles de Gaulle believed he could persuade the Vichy French forces in Dakar to join the Allies as this would have caused a great deal of political upset for the Vichy French colony. To achieve this the Allies decided to send a task force, accompanied by the British aircraft carrier Ark Royal, to Dakar with orders to negotiate with the Vichy French governor for a peaceful occupation. If this proved not to be successful the city would be taken by force. British Fleet Air Arm aircraft dropped propaganda leaflets over Dakar followed by Free French aircraft flying off HMS Ark Royal and landing at Dakar airport and whose crews were immediately taken prisoner. A boat with a representative of General de Gaulle entered the port but it was fired on by the Vichy French defenders. An engagement between the British fleet and the shore batteries lasted for several hours. Vichy destroyer L’Audacieux was hit and had to be beached and two Vichy submarines were sunk. Overall, the attack on Dakar did not go well for the Allies as the Vichy forces did not back down. Of the Allied battleships, HMS Resolution was torpedoed and HMS Barham was hit by two shells from the shore batteries. British cruisers HMS Australia and Cumberland were also damaged. Simultaneously an attempt was made by Free French troops to attack coastal defences but fog and the Vichy defenders continued to halt the attack. Eventually General de Gaulle called off the assault on the 25^th September 1940, leaving Dakar and French West Africa in Vichy hands.

King George VI inaugurated the award of the George Cross on the 24^th September 1940 in recognition of the bravery of civilians. An important factor for keeping up public morale was when the King and Queen Elizabeth stayed in London during the Blitz. On the 10^th September 1940 Buckingham Palace was bombed and the Royal Chapel was destroyed on the 13^th September 1940. After the raids Queen Elizabeth declared: “I’m glad we have been bombed. Now I can look the East End in the face”. German dictator Adolf Hitler considered the Queen ‘to be the most dangerous woman in Europe’ with her ability to boost the morale of her citizens during their darkest hour.

Following the attack by the Germans and retaliation by the British for the bombing of Cripplegate Church in London in August 1940, Britain began large scale bombing raids on Berlin in September 1940. Little damage was achieved owing to inferior nocturnal navigation and bomb aiming and daylight raids produced unacceptable heavy losses to British aircraft. Following the fall of France, Britain had no other means of carrying the war to Germany and therefore bombing was seen as the only option. When the Second World War began American President Roosevelt requested that all major participants confined their air raids to military targets. America it this stage of the war was neutral. Britain and France agreed to this request providing their opponents did the same.

September 1940 saw the escalation of heavy losses to convoys in the Atlantic by German U-boats. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill wrote that “the only thing that ever really frightened me during the war was the U-boat peril”. While Britain was winning the Battle of Britain in the air the U-boats, using their brand new bases in France, attacked ships almost at will. The Royal Navy was at full stretch with patrolling the Atlantic and the Mediterranean since Italy had joined forces with Germany. For the first time in September 1940 the U-boats began using “wolf pack” tactics to attack convoys sailing from North America to Britain. The convoys at times suffered as much as 20% losses of heavily-laden cargo ships. During the period from July to September 1940 German naval commanders referred to these times as “the happy time” with the main target being oil tankers. The highest recorded losses were 11 ships on the 26^th September 1940 and 12 ships on the 7^th September 1940.

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(France)

In retaliation for the assault on Dakar by the Allies on the 24^th September 1940 the Vichy French Air Force, based in North Africa, bombed the British base at Gibraltar. Fifty aircraft dropped 150 bombs on the dockyards and harbour and on the 25^th September 1940 a further one hundred aircraft dropped 300 bomb on the same targets. Some damage was caused but there were few casualties suffered as most of the bombs missed their targets.

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(Germany)

On the 1^st September 1940 the German government ordered all Jewish people to wear yellow stars of David. After the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, France and Belgium during May/June 1940, anti-Jewish policies were gradually implemented. Racial legislation and discrimination became more prevalent with all Jews forced to register with the German authorities. The dispossession of Jewish assets was the beginning of the preparation for the deportation to the Death Camps.

Hitler called for Operation Sea Lion to be postponed on the 3rd September 1940. Operation Sea Lion was the German codename for the invasion of Britain. With the Luftwaffe struggling for air supremacy over Britain, Germany was ill-prepared for an invasion. They were ill-prepared because of the waning strength of the Luftwaffe and the Kriegsmarine (Germany Navy) having suffered heavy losses at the Battle of Norway a few months earlier. Without any practical experience to land an amphibious attack, and lacking purpose built landing craft, the Kriegsmarine assembled over 2,000 river barges which would need to be towed by tugs. Although modified the barges had poor seagoing characteristics totally unsuitable for the bad weather that can occur in the English Channel in September. By early September 1940 Germany had also assembled 168 transport ships. For the tides to be right to facilitate landing troops on the south coast of England they would have to wait until late September 1940. The invasion was not a practical proposition and was postponed.

The invasion plans having been suspended, Hitler turned his attention to destroying London in an attempt to demoralise the population and force the British to come to terms. Hitler’s determination to disable Britain may actually have strengthened Britain’s determination to fight. From the 7^th September 1940 bombing raids on London began. German Dictator Adolf Hitler had ordered a new policy the previous day that the strategy, known as “The Blitz”, whereby London was to be attacked in order to draw RAF Fighter Command away from the airfields of southern England. London was systematically bombed by the Luftwaffe for 56 out of the following 57 days or nights.

The German high command had agreed the invasion of Britain should begin on the 14^th September 1940. The navy made revisions to their schedule and set the date back until the 24^th September 1940 when the tides would be favourable for a German invasion. Air superiority had not been achieved by the 14^th September 1940 and Hitler ordered Hermann Göring, commander of the Luftwaffe, to intensify the air raids.

The large-scale daylight attack of London on 15^th September 1940 was the most notable but the Luftwaffe suffered significant losses for very little lasting gain. In order to evade attack by RAF fighters the Luftwaffe gradually decreased their daylight raids. By October 1940 the Blitz became a night bombing campaign. The 15^th September annually is remembered as the Battle of Britain Day.

By the 17^th September 1940 Hitler was convinced the invasion was not a viable proposition as the three branches of the armed forces had not co-ordinated their plans properly. He therefore postponed Operation Sea Lion indefinitely.

In Berlin on the 27^th September 1940 the Tripartite Act was signed by Germany, Italy and Japan. The pact was an agreement directed primarily at the United States of America. As the theatres of war were on the opposite sides of the world the practical effect of the pact was minimal. The pact stated that Japan recognised the leadership of Germany and Italy in the establishment of a new European order. Conversely, Germany and Italy recognised the leadership of Japan in the establishment of a new Greater East Asia order. With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour and the declaration of war in 1941 against the United States, the Tripartite Act did not require a similar declaration of war from Germany and Italy.

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(Italy)

The Italian invasion of Egypt lasted from the 13^th to the 16^th September 1940 and was a strategic operation against the British. Italy had enjoyed a long term presence in North Africa as they had occupied Libya since 1932. Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was determined to expand that presence by invading and seizing Egypt during the North African campaign. In 1936 a British-Egyptian agreement was signed whereby Britain had the right to occupy Egyptian territory in the event of a threat to the Suez Canal. Following Italy’s declaration of war against Britain the Egyptian parliament broke off diplomatic relations with Italy. On the 9^th September 1940 bombers of the Italian Royal Air Force (Regia Aeronautica) attacked British airfields in Egypt and the British retaliated by launching air strikes against Italian airfields , supply points and the concentration of troops. Although vastly outnumbered the small British defence force resisting the Italians were forced to retreat to the east. When the Italians occupied the previously held British territory the British retreated further until they reached the prepared positions near the city of Mersa Matruh. The Italians followed but the invasion of Egypt had stalled on the 16^th September 1940. After the Italians had followed the British retreat having marched approximately 50 miles they halted and called off the invasion. The Italians were not able to achieve success during this operation owing to the indecisiveness of the Italian command coupled with the fact they had insufficient armament and transportation.

On the 9^th September 1940 a bombing raid on Tel Aviv caused the death of 137 civilians. In Palestine the Italian Air Force bombed the city in an effort to strike at Britain and the Commonwealth throughout the Middle East. Tel Aviv was targeted because the Italian bombers were intercepted by British aircraft. The bombers were forced to turn back from their intended targets of port and refineries of Haifa and received orders to drop their bombs on the port of Tel Aviv. The civilian area was where the bombs landed instead of the intended target of the port of Tel Aviv.

On the 10^th September 1940 the Corpa Aereo Italiano (CAI) was formed after Mussolini insisted that an element of the Italian Air Force should assist his German ally during the Battle of Britain and the Blitz. The CAI achieved limited success during its brief existence as it was generally hampered by the inadequacy of its equipment.

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(Other Theatres of War)

In Romania on the 6th September 1940 King Carol II abdicated. During the coup d’état of 1930 Prince Carol declared himself King Carol II. He encouraged the development of a modern economy, cultural initiative and maintained alliances with France and her allies in Eastern Europe. His growing admiration of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and the increasing agreements with Nazi-Germany including anti-Semitism plus the political unrest in Romania he declared himself a dictator. Following disagreements with France in July 1940 King Carol II announced that Romanian alliance would be with Germany but political unrest demanded his abdication in favour of his son King Michael I. After the abdication King Carol II went into exile settling in Mexico.

In America on the 16^th September 1940 selective peacetime conscription began with the “Selective Training and Service Act of 1940”. President Roosevelt signed this act which was the first peacetime conscription in United States history. Conscription required the registration of all men between the ages of 21 and 35 with the selection for one year’s service by national lottery. When Germany conquered France many Americans supported the return of conscription as they believed that a German-Italian victory would endanger the U.S.

The Japanese invasion of French Indochina began on the 22^nd September 1940 and the fighting continued until the 28^th September 1940. The fighting was an undeclared confrontation and the main Japanese objective was to prevent the Republic of China from importing arms and fuel and thereby blockading China. On the 25^th September 1940 the French administration in Indochina officially handed over the territory to Japanese control. In the meantime, Japanese troops occupied the airfield outside Hanoi together with several rail marshalling yards and by October 1940 the Japanese were running Indochina.

On the 28^th September 1940 German- occupied Norway appointed Vidkun Quisling as Head of State who led his fascist collaborationist government to power. The Quisling Regime, as it became known, was to remain in power until May 1945 when the Second World War in Europe ended.

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The Bay Museum

Monthly Archives: September 2020

Air Raid Damage Reports Brentwood Division Essex Fire Service September 1940.

The Battle of Britain

THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC

THE SECOND WORLD WAR September 1940