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Topic: The fingerprints of war (Read 2358 times)

bombtheb

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"History with its flickering lamp"

Re: The fingerprints of war « Reply #10 Posted: 15 July 2010 at 07:25 AM »

Thanks Rosie.

I do not think we are talking about the same spot, but I know the corner house (used to be a hardware shop a few years ago, but now a private house again) was hit by a shell during the bombardment in 1916. I have a picture taken at the time with some children standing in front of it, and a man who claimed to be one of them introduced himself to me during my visit to take a 'now' picture !

I have some details of the Stevens Street 1941 raid, but no WW 2 pictures, so a "Then & Now" is not possible here unfortunately. I know what you mean regarding the 'new' houses, they are very distinctive if you know where to look.

BC


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bombtheb

Senior Member

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Posts: 110

"History with its flickering lamp"

Re: The fingerprints of war « Reply #11 Posted: 15 July 2010 at 07:33 AM »

Joe,
My apologies for any suggestion of infringement of, or intrusion into, your identity, your privacy, or indeed, your personal security on this forum. In future I will make contact via PM.

Regards,

BC


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John O

John
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Left but keep coming back 'cos I love Lowestoft

Re: The fingerprints of war « Reply #12 Posted: 28 August 2010 at 11:04 AM »

The Bouncing Bomb that destroyed the Civil Defence bunker in Corton Road.
The bomb came through the roof of house on North Parade out tthruogh the side of the window frame, bounced off the tennis court and hit the bunker in Corton Road.
If you look closely at the house, viewed from the "tennis court" you can still see the newer bricks around the window. (Page 31 in Port War)
I was living in North Parade at the time and remember it well, as the blast took all of our windows out, plus ruined Mum's tea and dinner service.
Regards

John O wave


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If at first you don't succeed, avoid skydiving.

bombtheb

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Posts: 110

"History with its flickering lamp"

Re: The fingerprints of war « Reply #13 Posted: 29 August 2010 at 08:18 PM »

Thanks for that, John O.

The bomb you mention was a 500 kg (1,110-lb) HE bomb dropped by an FW 190 fighter bomber at 9.00 pm on 12 May 1943, during the evening attack by some 24 aircraft. Most of the raiders crossed in over the area of the lighthouse/High Street going South, but this one for some reason appears to have decided to release his bomb going East-West.

I've seen the damage to the house in North Parade you refer to. The damage on the W side of the building is at the same level as that on the opposite side, so the bomb must have gone through almost horizontally! The "tennis courts" are now an open grass area.

You will notice that the picture of the tennis court showing the spot where the bomb bounced in "Port War" by ford Jenkins has been "played with" by the wartime censor and the mark made by the bomb has been deleted.

The Civil Defence "bunker" you mention, was in fact a large house (No.41) in Lyndhurst Road. It had only recently been converted to a CD/RP Depot, and the only reason it was not occupied at the time was because there was no wireless, and the staff were at the 'old' depot listening to the 9 0' clock news when the FW 190s came in !
No.4, Corton Road was demolished and 3 people, (1 man, 2 women) were killed here.

BC


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