'Tip and Run' Raid Seaford Sussex 1942

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by Guy Hudson, Aug 20, 2016.

  1. Guy Hudson

    Guy Hudson Looker-upper

    Does anyone have any knowledge of a 'Tip and Run' raid on Seaford, Sussex between 24/9/42 and 6/10/42?
     
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2016
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  2. hucks216

    hucks216 Member

    I can't find anything within those dates. The Blitz Then & Now Volume 3 only mentions Seaford twice, once in August and once for October and for the latter the entry states... "The same day [25th] six fatalities occurred at Seaford and another four at Littlestone-on-Sea"
    The raid on the 5th November 1942 is mentioned in passing as "Minor incidents were also reported in Kent, Sussex and Hampshire on the 5th." It's possible any raids within those dates are described in the same way.

    I don't have access to my copy of Luftwaffe Fighter Bombers Over England: The Tip & Run Campaign 1942-1943 by Chris Goss & Peter Cornwell.
     
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2016
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  3. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    There was one on 25th October 1942 inflicting a number of civilian casualties...
    ANDREW, JESSIE GAMON. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 25/10/1942. Age: 67.
    Reporting Authority: SEAFORD, URBAN DISTRICT.
    Additional Information: Widow of Frank R. G. Andrew. Died at 39 Sutton Road.

    BUCK, FANNY. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 25/10/1942. Age: 77.
    Reporting Authority: SEAFORD, URBAN DISTRICT.
    Additional Information: of Stoneleigh, Comford Road. Daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Hart Buck, of Alton House, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. Died at 39 Vicarage Walk.

    BUCK, MARY. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 25/10/1942. Age: 71.
    Reporting Authority: SEAFORD, URBAN DISTRICT.
    Additional Information: of Stoneleigh, Comford Road. Daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Hart Buck, of Alton House, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. Died at 39 Vicarage Walk.

    GALE, FANNY ELIZABETH. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 25/10/1942. Age: 53.
    Reporting Authority: SEAFORD, URBAN DISTRICT.
    Additional Information: of 20 Broad Street. Daughter of Fanny Susanna Gale, and of James Gale. Died at 20 Broad Street.

    GALE, JAMES. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 25/10/1942. Age: 85.
    Reporting Authority: SEAFORD, URBAN DISTRICT.
    Additional Information: of 20 Broad Street. Son of the late Daniel and Elizabeth Gale, of Oving; husband of Fanny Susanna Gale. Died at 20 Broad Street.

    HOLCOMBE, KATE. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 25/10/1942. Age: 68.
    Reporting Authority: SEAFORD, URBAN DISTRICT.
    Additional Information: Of 37 Sutton Road. Daughter of the late James Hyde Holcombe, of Dartmouth Park, Highgate, London. At 37 Sutton Road.

    FARNES, GEORGE. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 25/10/1942. Age: 68.
    Reporting Authority: SEAFORD, URBAN DISTRICT.
    Additional Information: of 41 Sutton Road. Husband of Catherine Farnes. Died at 41 Sutton Road.

    MEESON, CATHERINE ALICE ROSE. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 25/10/1942. Age: 78.
    Reporting Authority: SEAFORD, URBAN DISTRICT.
    Additional Information: of 41 Vicarage Walk. Daughter of Benjamin Goodwin Davis, and Alice Rose Davis, of 5 St. Albans Road, Kentish Town, London; widow of Paymaster Commander Charles Mortimore Meeson, R.N. Died at 41 Vicarage Walk.

    SMITH, CLARA ELIZABETH. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 25/10/1942. Age: 56.
    Reporting Authority: SEAFORD, URBAN DISTRICT.
    Additional Information: of Dorcas Cottage, Saxon Lane. Died at 39 Vicarage Walk, Sutton Road.

    BORISSOW, GEORGE BERNARD. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 25/10/1942. Age: 68.
    Reporting Authority: SEAFORD, URBAN DISTRICT.
    Additional Information:at 39 Sutton Road.

    BORISSOW, KATHLEEN MARY. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 25/10/1942. Age: 34.
    Reporting Authority: SEAFORD, URBAN DISTRICT.
    Additional Information: Daughter of George Bernard Borissow. Died at 39 Sutton Road.

    TOMLEY, WILLIAM PRYCE. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 25/10/1942. Age: 54.
    Reporting Authority: SEAFORD, URBAN DISTRICT.
    Additional Information: Air Raid Warden. Son of Pryce W. H. and Emma Mary Tomley; husband of Ada Emily Tomley of 44 Salisbury Road. Died at Fairholme, Sutton Park Road.

    WILLIS, MARY ELIZABETH. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 25/10/1942. Age: 67.
    Reporting Authority: SEAFORD, URBAN DISTRICT.
    Additional Information: of 101 High Street, Hampton, Middlesex. Daughter of the late Thomas Moody; widow of Judge William Willis, K.C. Died at 39 Sutton Road.

    another on 5th November, fewer casualties but these two raids produced 18 of the 20 recorded casualties for Seaford Reporting District for the entire War.
    COOK, ANNIE LOUISA. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 05/11/1942. Age: 79.
    Reporting Authority: SEAFORD, URBAN DISTRICT.
    Additional Information: of Central Building, Sutton Park Road. Widow of Albert Edwin Cook. Died at 14 Pelham Road.

    FORT, CILDA DAPHNE. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 05/11/1942. Age: 26.
    Reporting Authority: SEAFORD, URBAN DISTRICT.
    Additional Information: M.R.A.D., L.I.S.T.D. Daughter of Mrs. C. G. Hall (formerly Fort), of Blatchington Hill Flats, and of the late Capt. Ralph Fort. Died at 14 Pelham Road.

    MARTIN, HARRIETT. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 05/11/1942. Age: 68.
    Reporting Authority: SEAFORD, URBAN DISTRICT.
    Additional Information: of 4 Pelham Rise, Pelham Road. Died at Pelham Road.

    PERKINS, FLORENCE MARGARET. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 05/11/1942. Age: 29.
    Reporting Authority: SEAFORD, URBAN DISTRICT.
    Additional Information: Of Burton House, Lenham Avenue, Saltdean. Daughter of Herbert and Harriet Chapman, of the same address; wife of Vivian Richard Perkins. At 14 Pelham Place.

    TODD, FLORA ELLEN. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 05/11/1942. Age: 81.
    Reporting Authority: SEAFORD, URBAN DISTRICT.
    Additional Information: of 11 Pelham Place. Daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. French, of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. widow of Harry Edward Todd. Died at 11 Pelham Place.

    and see The Middenshire Chronicles: October 2010
     
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2016
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  4. PeterG

    PeterG Senior Member

    There was a previous Tip and Run raid in September:

    "On 24 September 1942, an early morning reconnaissance by 5/JG reported shipping targets off Hastings. It is then known that two Rotte of Jabos attacked Seaford and Dymchurch early that afternoon ... "

    Luftwaffe Fighter-Bombers over Britain by Chris Gross, page 131.
     
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  5. gaspirator

    gaspirator Member

    I have an attack on Seaford listed in my database for 24 Sept 42 at 13:30 by 2 Me 109s. Two HE bombs were dropped causing slight damage and casualties.

    I also have listings for 9 Aug, 25 Oct, 5 Nov and 20 Jan 43. There's probably others inside your date range, but I haven't indexed the documents yet!

    Do you have a particular building/person in mind?

    - Pete
     
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  6. hutt

    hutt Member

    Hi
    Attached is a single page from the 27th AA Brigade diary recording the raid on the 24th September. I'll see if I can find more over the next week of so.
    Graham
     

    Attached Files:

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  7. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  8. Harry Ree

    Harry Ree Very Senior Member

    This link is from a past discussion on intruder raids...Early End to the Blackout

    As is this...Search Results for Query: Hit and Run Raids | WW2Talk.


    A favourite target was Torquay which was hit by the Luftwaffe 8 times in 15 months.It had a very close association with the armed forces,the RAF having requisitioned numerous hotels for training.There was also a large military hospital in both World Wars situated in the town....one raid resulted in quite a few casualties at the hospital.

    Dartmouth was also a target and looking into the raids,It is recorded that the aircraft flew low down the valley on to the Dart at Kingswear to create havoc and death after leaving Torquay.

    It would appear that the Luftwaffe were able to penetrate the South Coast because of the limitation of Chain Home Radar in that they were able to fly under the screen and and as such Ack Ack capability was ineffective against low flying aircraft.Initially, the first line of defence was visual by the detection of intruders by the ROC backed up by couple of fighters

    Interestingly,I was sent a photograph by my son who lives in South Hams of a war grave located in a Dartmouth cemetery.We discussed what was the reason for the death of the individual.At first I thought it could be a death related to enemy aircraft from a raid on Dartmouth but on further research the history of the individual was revealed....as soon as I ascertained his CWGC record,the historical background led to a very interesting account of the circumstances of his death.

    While discussing the intruder raids on Torquay and Dartmouth,my son told me of an acquaintance's recollection of these raids.The acquaintance's grandmother worked at the RN Britannia College in the canteen.Her life was saved during one of the sudden intruder raids in that she allowed a work colleague who had the greater need of the toilet to use it before her....the college was bombed, the toilet hit and her work colleague lost her life.

    After these raids the College was closed down and relocated to Eaton Hall,Chester in early 1943.

    Information on these intruder raids can be found from the following report, "Analysis of South Coast Tip and Run Incidents" held by the AHB.

    Information on Luftwaffe operations can be found in The JG 26 War Diary Vol 1 by Don Caldwell (Grubb Street) 1996.

    As aside,an interesting insight to the attitude of Luftwaffe pilots on intruder ops as revealed by conversation recordings taken secretly in POW camps. Published as Soldaten on Fighting,Killing and Dying.(Sonke Neitzel and Harald Welzer)
     
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2016
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  9. Guy Hudson

    Guy Hudson Looker-upper

    Many thanks for all the helpful replies.

    I am trying to confirm a story told me by a veteran who is sadly no longer here to help. He was posted to a unit at Seaford and was waiting on the seafront to be interviewed by the CO. He described a 109 that opened fire hitting the road and the roof of a house on the seafront, it also dropped a bomb in Seaford High Street.
    His account does appear to tally with the attack on the 24th Sepetember 1942, which is the day he arrived. He did only witness one of the 109's.
    Graham, thank you for the diary page.
     
  10. 379/101 HAA

    379/101 HAA Ubique

    Graham,

    Sorry to hijack your topic, please excuse the cheek, but I`ve a similar outstanding "tip and run" query for Sussex 1942 and as you`ve had such great help I thought I might try my luck, so here goes.

    6:05am 11th August, 1942, SHOREHAM - Site N.11. (Shoreham - MILL HILL) 3 rounds pre-arranged barrage fired at 2 F.W. 190s.

    Can anyone add any detail to this raid? Pre-arranged barrage suggests they new they were coming so perhaps part of a larger raid?

    There is no detailed operations report for this date in the 27th A.A. Bde war diary, Ref: WO166/7384. I suspect this may have been covered in the Brigade`s detail report No.213 but this is missing from the diary. There is also no mention of this particular raid in the 5th A.A. Div. war diary, Ref: WO166/7333, or Chris Goss`s book.

    Any help would be grately appreciated.

    Regards,

    John
     
  11. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    I've no info on the raid, but as this site was at Mill Hill, just east of the Adur estuary and almost opposite the present day Shoreham Airport (and thus not far from the Hunter accident last year) the AA battery may have reconnoitred the likely flight path of any low flying attacks from the coast.
    So, they didn't know the raid was coming, but probably had very good lookout sites giving them maximum possible warning and the guns were ranged to those likely spots.
    Three rounds would probably be the only amount possible before they had gone past.

    There were a whole series of tip an run raids along the South Coast recorded on 11th August, with Deal and Eastbourne being particularly attacked. Mention is also made of it being a full moon and a heavy night raid on Eastbourne as well.
    Three fairly well spread towns must indicate the attacks were mounted in waves of nine or so at a time, returning after being refuelled and bombed up again.

    No doubt the RAF may have been forced into adopting standing patrols in order to try and intercept this damaging attacks.
    But still nothing found for Shoreham...
     
  12. gaspirator

    gaspirator Member

    Do you know which unit he was posted to? I may have the war diary in question...

    - Pete
     
  13. tmac

    tmac Senior Member

    This is an account by Gunner Michael Cullen of a tip-and-run raid by four FW 190s on December 30, 1942, at Camber Sands, further along the coast from Seaford.


    Although written with a touch of wry humour, it gives some idea of how swift and frightening these air strikes were.


    Michael and his fellow gunners of E Troop, 318 Battery, 92nd LAA, were billeted in the clubhouse on the local golf course and their Bofors Gun was dug into a gunsite overlooking Camber Sands.


    ‘The gunsites were visited every day by a Women’s Voluntary Service mobile canteen, managed by two well-educated, elderly ladies,’ he wrote in his memoirs.


    ‘We would follow their progress each morning, eagerly awaiting their arrival, for our ever-welcome morning cuppa! We had become a little lethargic since arriving there, but we were soon to be aroused from our doziness.


    ‘The canteen, this particular morning, had stopped in its usual place at the foot of the hill. We had left the gun in the hands of the cook and one of the ammo numbers, while we partook of our morning cuppa.


    ‘We were suddenly deafened by the roar of strange aero engines, and the rat-tat-tat of cannon fire. On looking up, we could see the black cross of the Luftwaffe, spitting tracer cannon at the trucks in the village.


    ‘The planes were FW 190s. After recovering from the shock and urged on by the tea ladies, we raced back up the hill. The two men on the gun appeared to be paralysed. Under the auspices of Sergeant Jack Smith, we turned the gun in the direction of the planes, which had disappeared over the village.


    ‘We had secretly hoped that they had gone home – but no such luck. They returned, having spotted us, and dived down with the sun behind them and in our eyes, spitting tracer shells each side of the gunpit.


    ‘At the sight of these three planes intent on ending our days, I was prompted to say three Hail Marys and one Our Father, but unfortunately there wasn’t time – they had by now crossed over Camber Sands and were heading out to sea.


    ‘We opened fire at last and let go about 12 rounds, and managed to hit one plane in the rudder. We saw some bits fly off. After we had stopped shaking, we began to feel sorry for the pilot, knowing that in all probability, he would not make it back home.


    ‘The whole incident had only taken about three minutes – we knew then why we had been dubbed the “Hit and Run Raiders.” Needless to say, there were several pairs of cellular underpants hanging on the clothes line that night.’
     

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