Luftwaffe Raids on UK Airfields

Hi Everyone

Joined the site yesterday. Amazed at the responses that I have received so far to my request for help about the impact of airfield construction on rural communities.

Wondered if anyone can provide me with more information about Luftwaffe raids on UK airfields. I believe that after the Battle of Britain, German tactics changed from large formations to that of up to three raiders attacking in daylight at low level, strafing and dropping mainly anti personnel bombs on airfields and surrounding "targets". Is this correct?

How far inland were the raiders realistically able to penetrate without it being a "Suicide Mission"?

When were these raids most frequent?

Were V1's ever released from aircraft to extend their range, especially as the Allies advanced through Western Europe? If so, does anybody know the location(s) of those futhest from our east/south coasts?

Would really appreciate any information, stories etc that you may have. All adds realism to my writing.

Cheers

Dave

Yes V1 s were launched from aircraft, they got as far as Oldham. As for attacks on airfields, one of the most attacked airfields was would you believe Wick.

Thanks for this info. That's quite a surprise about Oldham. I was speaking to an OAP in her 80's from Manchester who said she could remember V1's coming over the area and wondered if she was a little confused!! Bit unkind of me!

Please can you point me in the right direction for researching these subjects. Where would I locate the records if any were kept?

Really appreciate your help.

Cheers

Dave

I can't imagine V1's would have been released from aircraft, due to their size and weight mainly. Can anyone give any further info on this?

There is at least one book on that particular subject ; 'Flying Bombs over the Pennines' by Peter JC Smith , published as an A4 softback in 1988 at £5-25 . The book specifically deals with the V1 attack on Manchester on 24 December 1944 . I'm pretty sure the author wrote a similar lengthier book detailing all other known V1 raids on the UK during the war ? There was also a V1 raid up here in the north east at Tudhoe in County Durham . It destroyed the local cricket pavillion !

The 'V' weapon attacks were later in the war and not specifically 'airfield' attacks. But, as terror weapons they served their purpose.

The V1 was also known as 'Doodlebug' by the general population but codename DIVER by the defenders and yes, they could be carried and launched from some aircraft types thereby significantly increasing their range hence those landing in the north of England.

There was no defence against the V2 rocket codename BIG BEN by the defences. It came in near vertically at supersonic speeds and defied detection and defence.

Another good book on both types is Bob Ogley's 'Doodlebugs and Rockets' ISBN 1-872337-21-X which is must reading for home county residents especially Kent dwellers. See how close your house was to being hit!

Excuse my ignorance, but would the aircraft used have taken off from Norweigian airfields and launched out over the North Sea?

Hi there.

So much reading to do now, but the information I am getting is excellent! Will see if I can get my hands on this. Thanks.

I live in Leicestershire, alongside the Bruntingthorpe runway, but have not been able to track down any records of local attacks by these weapons.

Probably a bit like our football team....insignificant!

I believe that the aircraft launched V1s were from aircraft based in Belgium, and Im sure I read somewhere that the Germans experimented with a form of TV guidance.

As for Wick, as Caithness has almost no trees the hangars stood out like the proverbial sore thumb so it was an easy airfield to locate. And yes they were aircraft from Norwegian bases.