Library Reference Number: 069
Sixty Years Earlier
In WW2, the first Luftwaffe raid over mainland Britain was carried out on 16th October 1939. Twelve Ju 88A bombers, led by Hauptmann Pohle, flew from Sylt to attack Royal Navy ships in the Firth of Forth. The aircrews, several of whom were veterans of the Spanish Civil War, had been assured that no modern fighters were based in Scotland, so their morale was high.
It remained high, when partly as a result of failure in the power supply to a radar station at St.Abb's Head, the German aircraft were able to fly inland, approach Rosyth from the south-west, and dive-bomb ships without any opposition. The first bombs had landed before ships and land-based batteries opened up with anti-aircraft fire. No ships were sunk and none seriously damaged, but the RN suffered 35 casualties, nearly half of them fatal, mainly caused by a single bomb which exploded close to the destroyer 'Mohawk.'
Suddenly, Spitfires of 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron from Drem; and 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron from Turnhouse, engaged the enemy. George Pinkerton of 602 was credited with shooting down Pohle's aircraft near the Isle of May. Pat Gifford was credited with Obertieutenant Storp's off Port Seton. Even now, each Squadron claims to have made the first kill over mainland Britain. Pohle and Storp became POWs.
As a result of this raid, both sides learned sharp lessons, most of which were put into effect before the Battle of Britain commenced in July 1940.
On 28th October 1939, an He 111 was brought down near Humbie, by the combined efforts of 602 and 603 Squadrons, although it was credited to Archie McKellar of 602. This was the first enemy aircraft to fall on mainland British soil in WW2.
On Saturday 16th October 1999, the events of sixty years earlier were commemorated at the Museum of Flight, East Fortune, near Edinburgh. Representatives of 602, & 603 Squadrons, the Royal Navy, and members of the public, witnessed a spirited flying display by a Spitfire.
In October 1939, I was ten years of age, but have taken a keen interest in the events of that time. Much of the above information has been taken from "Birth of the Few" by Henry Buckton/ Grp Captain Sir Hugh Dundas, published in 1995, and other books. I have listened to several participants and witnesses, particularly the late Grp Captain Pinkerton, DFC. As far as I know, the information which I have given above is correct, but truth can, of course, be elusive.