大象传媒

My family home from 1940 to 1993 was 37 Mill Lane, Billingham (later TS23 1HN). The house was demolished and replaced by a small block of flats, circa 2000. Almost opposite my home was a field which prior to and after the war was for recreational purposes, but during the war years it was used for growing wheat.

One day my father, William Murray Keir, (1902 to 1969) was walking down Milll Lane on his way home when a German Bomber appeared at low level and started to circle the field. My dad was of the opinion that the pilot was looking for somewhere to land. After evidently considering the field too small (it was bigger than it is now) the pilot flew off south towards the Cleveland Hills.

After a short while two RAF fighters appeared and flew in the direction of the German plane.

It was later reported in the Press that the plane had been brought down in the area of Sleights, in North Yorkshire, and was the first German plane downed in World War Two.

The kill was credited to Peter Townsend, later to become Group Captain Peter Townsend perhaps better known for his later association with the late Princess Margaret Rose.

My father insisted to his dying day that the pilot was trying to surrender his plane and crew when he circled the field in Mill Lane, Billingham.

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