Today marks the 80th anniversary of the worst air raid experienced by the historic Isle of Wight County Town of Newport during World War II.
On the morning of Wednesday 7th April 1943, 8 Messerschmitt 109s skimmed over Sandown Bay at 07:15 and continued over the countryside of East Wight on their way to the historic market town. On approaching Newport, the fighter bombers dispatched salvos of cannon and machine gun fire into the centre of town before dropping a bomb each on the Island’s commercial and communications hub.
The aircraft then made their escape over the Bowcombe valley before departing the Island in the vicinity of Chale. 1 was hit by anti-aircraft fire from Gunville air battery and forced to crash land. The enemy aircraft were then engaged by the RAF over the Channel, where 1 or possibly more were downed by a Hawker Typhoon.
The planes had left a trail of destruction behind them. As soon as the Focke-Wulfs had departed from the airspace above the Island, a frenetic rescue operation got underway in a desperate attempt to save lives in the houses and businesses hit.
The bombs had been scattered around the County Town. The very worst of the destruction was to terraced houses in 2 streets: Chapel Street and Clarence Road.
Chapel Street lost 5 of its houses, in which 6 of its residents – 5 women and 1 man – lost their lives. 5 children were among those injured. 4 homes were hit on Clarence Road, where the 5 fatalities included 2 children.
2 further deaths were the result of a direct hit on Bradley Lodge – the home of Dr Arthur Straton – on Medina Avenue. Both the doctor and his maid were killed. Mrs Straton was rescued – seriously injured – from the debris.
Commercial premises were also hit. 3 men were killed at Morey’s timber yard. A further bomb passed through Medina Cinema before destroying the draper’s shop next door. Other businesses that were damaged included the Guildhall, a Southern Vectis bus garage and the Catholic Church on Pyle Street.
Altogether, 16 were killed in the raid with 200 injured. Their deaths have been commemorated by a memorial in Curch Litten Park.
A memorial service to remember those who lost their lives will be held at St Johns Church on 9th June at 11:00.
Report amended with further information kindly supplied by historian Mark Luis Earp.
There are 20 deaths recorded on the Church Litten memorial, presumably due to another 4 people having died of wounds received that day. The terrace in Clarence Road lost a total of six houses, two more having had to be pulled down due to excessive damage.
Adrian Searle in his book “the Isle of Wight at War” puts the number of dead at 16. I imagine that was the number recorded at the time and that the others subsequently died of their injuries. If someone was in poor health before they were injured in a bombing raid, it would be difficult to say whether the raid was responsible for their death.
And now the council lets any German in… #NeverForget
More local history articles please!