THE SECOND WORLD WAR April 1940

The Katyn Forest, located in the Soviet Union was the scene in April 1940 of the massacre of captured Polish officers and intelligencia by the Soviet secret police (NKVD) – (“People’s Commissariat for the Internal Affairs”). Approximately 22,000 Polish prisoners were murdered and most, but not all, were found buried in mass graves. The massacre was a series of mass executions which took place in several different locations. The NKVD prompted the massacre for which the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin was one of those who signed the order. When Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941 the Germans found the mass graves giving them the opportunity for propaganda against the Soviets for the barbaric treatment of the Polish people.
Germany invaded Denmark and Norway on the 9th April 1940 as a preventive measure against a planned British and French occupation of Norway. The German objective was to protect the two countries neutrality. German industry was heavily dependent on the import of iron-ore from the northern Swedish mining district and much of this was shipped through the Norwegian port of Narvik. By having bases in Denmark and Norway, Britain and France would have forced German ore ships to travel through the open waters of the North Sea. The invasion of Denmark lasted less than six hours and the capitulation resulted in a uniquely lenient occupation of Denmark. Norway was also occupied from the 10th April 1940. The Quisling regime which was the puppet government led by Vidkun Quisling until the end of the war. Quisling was the leader of the Norwegian fascist party who declared himself Prime Minister and ordered all resistance halted immediately. Adolf Hitler supported Quisling thereby forcing King Haakon VII and the pre-war government to escape to London.
The First Battle of Narvik was initiated by the British navy who had orders to prevent ten German destroyers landing 2,000 troops at the Port of Narvik in Norway. Narvik was important to the Germans because it was used to ship imported iron-ore to supply Nazi Germany’s industries. Early on the morning of the 10th April 1940 a flotilla of five British destroyers entered the harbour of Narvik under the cover of heavy snow. In the surprise attack they sank two German destroyers and six merchant ships, and damaging another destroyer. However, they had arrived too late to prevent the landing of the German troops. Unbeknown to the British navy, a further five German destroyers were at anchor nearby and these emerged to attack the British flotilla. The Germans were forced to retreat because of fuel shortages and the need to facilitate repairs despite having sunk the British flagship and killing the commander, Captain Bernard Warburton-Lee. The Germans also sank another ship and damaging a further two. A Second Battle for Narvik commenced on the 13th April 1940 when a new British force arrived consisting of a battleship and eight destroyers who opposed eight German destroyers and two U-boats. After the battle the only German survivor was U-boat, U-51, which managed to escape to the open sea.
The British occupation of the Faroe Islands was implemented immediately following the German invasion of Denmark and Norway. On the 12th April 1940 two British destroyers arrived at Torshavn harbour on the Faroe Islands which was an amt (county of Denmark). Following discussions between the Danish Prefect of the Islands and the Faroese Parliament the British terms were accepted regarding the occupation, on the basis that the U.K. would not seek to interfere with the internal affairs of the Islands. The British were in occupation for the duration of the war.
On the 14th April 1940 British troops landed at Namsos and Harstad in Norway as Anglo/French troops prepared to launch an operation against German forces at Trondheim and Narvik. The 15th April 1940 saw the British Guards Brigade landing at Harstad and on the 16th, 17th and 18th April 1940 land at Namsos and Andalsnes respectively. Fighting continued until the 25th April 1940 when the German forces successfully pushed the Allies back and on the 27th April 1940 the Allied forces decided to withdraw from Narvik and Andalsnes. This in effect abandoned the Allied involvement against the Germans at Trondheim. On the 30th April 1940 the Allied evacuation from Andalsnes began.
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Air Raid Damage Reports Brentwood Division Essex Fire Service April 1941.

Date                Time   Location         Damage

02/04/1941    13.55  Rochford       An aeroplane taking off from Rochford Aerodrome

Crashed into a hanger severely injuring 2 men.  A/C Dennis Fear No 642065, age 19 and A/C2 Wilkingson.  No 922795.  Both conveyed to Southend General Hospital where Dennis Fear died 4.4.41.  Cause of accident unknown.

04/04/1941    10.45  Grays Hill      1 – A.A. unexploded Shell found in a field adjoining

Harding Elms Road.  Time and date of falling not known.  No damage or casualties.  B.D.S. 5.6.41.

04/04/1941    15.45  Wickford        1 – H.E unexploded found in a field 300 yards East

of Wickford Hall Southend Road.  No damage or casualties.

08/04/1941    13.35  Paglesham    1 – A.A. unexploded Shell found 400 yards North

                                                            East of East Hall.  No damage or casualties.

08/04/1941    23.15  Foulness       I.Bs (a number) burnt out at Small Gains Farm. 

                                    Island             No damage or casualties.

10/04/1941    13.00  Dunton          1 – H.E unexploded was found in a field East of

Berry Lane.  No damage or casualties.  (disposed of by B.D.S. 10.5.41).

11/04/1941                Mountnessing          1 – A.A. Shell exploded in a field West of St

Anns Cottages, St Anns Lane.  No damage or casualties.

13/04/1941    21.00  South Weald 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell found in a field 200

yards from cow shed at Gilstead Hall.  No damage or casualties.

14/04/1941                South Weald 1 – A.A. unexploded Shell found in a field 300

yards West of Spital Lane and 500 yards North of A.12.  No damage or casualties.  (disposed of by B.D.S. 28.4.41).

14/04/1941    15.50  Wickford        3 – H.Es exploded on open ground 100 yards East

of junction of Sugden Avenue and London Road.  No damage or casualties.

15/04/1941                Ingrave           1 – H.E exploded found in Forty-five field, 30

yards South East of pond at Clemoes Farm, Thorndon Park.  No damage or casualties.

16/04/1941    21.30  Childerditch  10 – H.Es exploded in fields between the Village

Hall and Hall Lane.  1 cow injured.  Slight damage to property.

16/04/1941    21.30  Little                1 – H.E exploded in Dunton Road, 200 yards East

                                    Burstead        of Calvers Farm.  Road blocked.  No casualties.

16/04/1941    21.50  Canvey          3 – H.Es exploded near Beech House Promenade

Island             East, 2 on foreshore and 1 100 yards North of sea wall.  Considerable damage to jetty, overhead electric cables and to property.  No casualties.

16/04/1941                Little Warley  3 – A.A. unexploded Shells, 1 100 yards East of

Hall Lane and 100 yards North of L.M.S. railway, 1 150 yards East of Hall Lane and 40 yards North East of pond in field and 1 300 yards West of Hall Lane and 400 yards North on L.M.S. railway (all disposed of by B.D.S. 9.5.41).

16/04/1941    21.60  Mountnessing          2 – H.Es exploded, 1/4 mile South of

Mountnessing Hall Farm and 100 yards North of Railway and 1 on Sewerage Farm.  Extensive damage to sewer main and sprinklers.  No casualties.

17/04/1941    02.10  Wickford        I.Bs (about 100) burnt out between the junction of

Nevendon Road and Park Drive.  Slight damage to property.  No casualties.

17/04/1941    02.15  Wickford        1 – H.E. exploded in a field 100 yards North of

Railway Arch and South of Third Avenue, Shotgate.  No damage or casualties.

17/04/1941    02.25  Hockley          I.Bs (a number) burnt out in Great Bullwood, 1

mile South of Wardens Post N.4.  No damage or casualties.

18/04/1941    05.00  Canewdon    3 – H.Es exploded in fields 1/4 mile North West of

                                                            Bolt Hall.  No damage or casualties.

19/04/1941    21.30  Vange            I.Bs (about 50) burnt out at Gales Corner

Timberlog Lane.  Damage by fire to a small factory, a house and sheds.  Telephone wires down at junction of Gordon Road.  1 slight casualty.

19/04/1941    21.30  Brentwood     I.Bs (a number) at the Barracks, Gt. Warley and

Mental Hospital grounds.  No damage or casualties.

19/04/1941    21.30  Thundersley 1 – H.E. exploded at Longfords Crescent, 1

                                                            unoccupied bungalow wrecked.  No casualties.

19/04/1941    21.35  South             1 – Paramine unexploded 500 yards from East end

Benfleet         of Highcliffe Road.  Parachute at Canvey Island.  Police Station (exploded 22.4.41 by B.D.S.).  No damage or casualties.

19/04/1941    21.40  Laindon         2 – H.Es exploded at Albert Drive, 4 bungalows

badly damaged and several slightly damaged.  1 slight casualty.  Several persons suffering from shock.

19/04/1941    21.40  Wallasea       11 – H.Es exploded in fields 200 yards South of

                                                            Grass Farm.  No damage or casualties.

19/04/1941    21.45  Laindon         4 – H.Es exploded 2 between Victoria and Milton

Avenues and 2 at Dunton Drive.  Extensive damage to Rose Cottage.  Slight damage to Belvedere and other property.  Water main fractured.  Several persons suffering from shock.

19/04/1941    21.45  Pilgrims          1 – H.E. exploded in Lower Crow Green Road.  No

                                    Hatch             damage or casualties.

19/04/1941    21.48  Laindon         1 – H.E. exploded in Elmore Crescent (unclassified

road closed).  Gas main fractured.  No casualties. (road open 16.4.41).

19/04/1941    21.55  Mountnessing          2 – Parachute mines exploded 1 in mid-air

at Swallows Cross.  No casualties.  Severe damage to property and telephone wires.  Parachute and tail cap found painted green with No 3226 in yellow.

19/04/1941    22.00  Childerditch  2 – Para mines, 1 exploded in meadow on Jury Hill

and 1 unexploded on North side of Arterial Road. A.127. 10 yards from road, 300 yards East of Little Warley cross roads (exploded 21.4.41).  No damage or casualties. (road open 23.5.41).

19/04/1941    22.10  Brentwood     2 – Para mines exploded, 1 in Sawyers Hall Lane

and 1 at Cocoran’s Farm, Bishops Hall Estate.  Extensive damage to unoccupied farm property and other property.  No casualties.  Tail caps found.

19/04/1941    22.14  Rochford       2 – Para mines exploded near Costed Hall. 

Damage to property.  No casualties.  Tail caps found marked with green lettering Nos 3241 and 3231 both 2 1/2 miles from water-ways.

19/04/1941    22.15  Great              2 – Para mines exploded West of Vicarage Lane

Wakering       and 400 yards North of High St.  2 slight casualties.  Slight damage to property.  Tail caps and parachutes in possession of the Police.  Tail caps black with figures 19 in green stencil and the word NARVI in chalk.

19/04/1941    22.30  Laindon         1 – H.E. unexploded in a field 400 yards East of

Partridge Farm and 300 yards South of Dry Street.  No damage or casualties.

19/04/1941    22.30  Billericay        2 – H.Es exploded in field 200 yards West of Acors

                                                            Farm Kennel Lane.  No damage or casualties.

19/04/1941                Hutton            1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in a field adjoining

Challacombe Close.  No damage or casualties. (dealt with by BDS 5.5.41).

19/04/1941    22.40  Pitsea             I.Bs (about 50) between Glenhurst Avenue and

Rosetown Drive.  Damage by fire at “Corborie” Rectory Road and 19 Chelvedon Avenue.  No casualties.

19/04/1941    22.40  South             2 – Para mines exploded on open ground North

Fambridge     West of pumping station, Fambridge Road.  Slight damage to property.  No casualties.

19/04/1941    22.45  Basildon        2 – H.Es exploded 1 in Cleveland Road and 1 in

Marlborough Road.  2 houses demolished and extensive damage to other property.  Gas main damaged.  No casualties.

19/04/1941    22.48  Canvey          1 – H.E. exploded on Scar Elbow Farm between

Island             the gas compressor and Kynoch’s Hotel.  No damage or casualties.

19/04/1941    23.05  Nevendon     I.Bs (a number) in field near Felmore’s Farm.  No

                                                            damage or casualties.

19/04/1941    23.10  Great Warley 1 – H.E. exploded in field between Thatchers Arms

P.H. and Warley Lodge.  Slight damage to property.  No casualties.

19/04/1941                Raweth          1 – H.E. exploded in Pear Tree Meadow, Fox’s

                                                            Farm.  No damage or casualties.

20/04/1941    03.15  Canvey          Roof and doors of “Redferne Lodge” damaged by

                                    Island             shrapnel.  No casualties.

20/04/1941    03.15  Canvey          2 – H.Es exploded in fields between Winter

Island             Gardens and Waterside Farm.  No damage or casualties.

20/04/1941    03.15  Wickford        6 – H.Es exploded in line from East end of Brown’s

Ave, to Senfield Drive.  1 fatal casualty (Frederick Brickdell 33 years.) 4 serious and 3 slight casualties.  Several persons suffering from shock, 6 houses wrecked and a number badly damaged.  Brown’s Avenue blocked.  Fire broke out but was extinguished.  Electric and telephone wires down.  A number of persons rendered homeless.

20/04/1941    04.10  Shenfield       2 – H.Es exploded in Hall Lane 1/4 mile North East

                                                            of Searchlight Station.  No damage or casualties.

20/04/1941    04.10  South Weald 1 – Para mine exploded in field adjoining the

Poplars Farm, Brook Street.  Extensive damage to property.  Several persons rendered homeless.  2 lambs killed.  Parachute at Brentwood Police Station.

20/04/1941    04.10  Brentwood     4 – H.Es, 1 exploded and 3 unexploded.  The

unexploded near L.N.E.R. between Kavanaghs and Mascalls Bridges, 1 16 yards South of track, 1 150 yards South and 1 25 yards North of track about 250 yards East of Mascalls Bridge.  The exploded H.E. 400 yards West of Kavanaghs Bridge and 200 yards South of track.  (disposed of B.D.S. 29.4.41).  No damage or casualties.

20/04/1941                Little Warley  1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in ploughed field 25

yards West of L.M.S.R. and 50 yards North of Orchard Cottage, Hall Lane.  No damage or casualties.  (disposed of B.D.S. 9.5.41).

20/04/1941                Wickford        1 – A.A. unexploded Shell 50 yards from Railway

Arch at Fanton Hall.  No damage or casualties.  (dealt with by B.D.S. 8.5.41).

21/04/1941                Langdon        1 – H.E unexploded 20 yards North of junction on

Hills                Park and Nightingale Avenues.  No damage or casualties.  (Disposed of by B.D.S. 30.4.41).

21/04/1941                Great              1 – H.E. unexploded near sewer beds at Barlylands

Burstead        Farm.  No damage or casualties.  (dealt with B.D.S. 9.5.41).

21/04/1941                Barling           1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in garden at Bolts Farm

Cottage.  No damage or casualties.  (disposed of BDS 30.4.41).

24/04/1941                Great Warley 1 – H.E. exploded in field behind Mangrove

                                                            Cottages Warley Road.  No damage or casualties.

25/04/1941                East                1 – H.E. unexploded in field 50 yards South of

Horndon        Station Road.  No damage or casualties.  (disposed of BDS 10.5.41).

25/04/1941                Little Warley  1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in field adjoining Hall

Lane opposite Rectory Chase.  No damage or casualties.  (Disposed of B.D.S. 17.5.41).

28/04/1941                Raweth          1 – H.E unexploded in field 1/4 mile South East of

Dallymans Farm.  No damage or casualties.  (disposed of BDS 5.5.41).

28/04/1941                Little Warley  1 – A.A. unexploded Shell in a ploughed field East

of Hall Lane.  100 yards from Hall Lane and 20 yards from North side of field.  No damage or casualties.