大象传媒

On Saturday morning, 31st October 1942, all the barrage balloons guarding Canterbury were lowered for essential maintenance, whereupon the Germans attacked with fighters and Heinkel bombers. The streets were strafed, a bus was hit and many buildings were hit. In all, thirty people were killed and many injured.

Lunchtime at home in Barham and I heard the train whistle at the level crossing two hundred yards away. Fascinated as always, I just had time to run round to the front garden and climb on the wall to see it come into view across the valley. At the same time, I heard aircraft engines behind me and the hammer of cannon fire. I could see the flashes as the bullets hit the target. Clouds of steam came from the engine, it started to slow down, and suddenly the planes had disappeared. The fireman was killed and also a nine year old boy who was illegally riding on the footplate.

Although there is no mention, it is interesting to conjecture that the raid on Canterbury and the train may have been a twenty four hour intelligence mistake by the Germans.

This story was submitted to the People's War website by Helena Noifeld and has been added to the website on behalf of J.W.Colthup with his permission. He fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

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