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Hi Laurie,
Bomber Command kept up a more or less continuous campaign against the invasion fleets. Peter Schenk ('Landung in England'), quoting German sources, states that by 21 September the RAF had destroyed 12 transports, 4 tugs and 51 barges A further 9 transports, 1 tug and 163 barges were damaged.
The Germans had assembled something over 2,000 barges for Sealion, the highest estimate including reserves is 2,400 and documentary evidence for the conversion of 1,956 survives, making that a minimum number. This would mean that the RAF destroyed or damaged almost 10% of them (214 barges).
Given the strength, or rather weakness, of Bomber Command at the time it was a sterling effort and one much overlooked today. It's why I have been including references to it, if only as footnotes to the Battle of Britain.Comment
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An aside here if I may......during blitz and daylight raids almost all civilians sought shelter. There was one notable exception though, which is not well known at all. Rail crews were expected to keep their trains moving throughout an attack. The thinking was that the time it would take to stop and seek shelter was probably longer than it would take for the raid to pass over. They were no less safe therefore carrying on with their duties as they would be if they took shelter.
They also suffered enhanced dangers from the blackout. I once read a story about an engine that stopped at signals in the blackout. The fireman was grateful that they were in a station and stepped out of the cab on to the platform to use the toilets. As he did, the driver bellowed at him “Get back in the cab, where the hell do you think your going”...he therefore got back in, rather put out about it all. The driver then apologised, saying “We’re not in the station yet, you just stepped on to the parapet of a viaduct”......He’d just been saved from a potential 100 foot drop because a blacked out station and an unlit viaduct looked very much the same from a lit, but blacked out, cab.Comment
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There were a lot of accidents caused by the blackout. It led to a bizarre experiment, involving the New Forest ponies.
There was a lot of military traffic through the New Forest and humans in motor vehicles and ponies were involved in collisions. An experiment was carried out, painting a white stripe on the ponies to make them more visible. The Times reported on efforts to paint the horses on 9th November 1939 and the clerk to the New Forest Verderers Court confirmed that experiments had taken place. Unfortunately it turned out that foals refused to go anywhere near their painted mothers and 'family life' was being disrupted. The experiment was abandoned, 500 ponies were sold off at two separate auctions and the rest moved to enclosed pastures in direct contravention of the ancient 11th century law, passed in the time of William II, which allowed the ponies to roam freely. The safety of motor vehicle passengers and also that of the ponies was considered more important than some ancient right.Comment
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I lived within a few miles of the forest for many years. Ponies aren’t the only domestic animals that wander freely Steve. Ponies, donkeys, cattle, sheep and pigs can all be seen wandering around at various times. Unfortunately they still get run down with monotonous regularity as well. This is despite many campaigns and a forty mph speed limit. Even reflective collars on the donkeys didn’t help. Some road users simply lack intelligence and awareness, and probably shouldn’t be allowed on the road!Comment
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Thanks Steve. B of B was a more intricate affair than is given in recent times. I always feel that needs to be addressed.
Britain was just a hive of activity from the armaments, aircraft ship building industries. My father a carpenter joiner was building the RAF rescue launches. Regiments were reforming & taking in recruits. Massive farming expansion. Concrete block on the beaches. Every road junction had concrete triangular blocks ready to be positioned to stop tanks (German).
Although it all seemed bad we had sunk by this time the Graf Spey & Dunkirk had happened. We were on our own showing the world the nation we were. British always the best then. Plus we now had Winston in charge our major weapon. Best Navy by far best Airforce by far. The Army in disaray but that was being addressed with the expertise at the top.
At night 2 year old I slept with my mum under the Morrison table. A reinforced table in the living room. Supposed to protect if the house was bombed from the rubble. Dad was out fire watching as an Aux. Fireman.Comment
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Also add not ever to be forgotten.
All those from the Commonwealth (was it that or still Empire) who absolutely flocked to Britain to support us in a tremendous effort.
Also USA men who had to join the RCAF to be able to fight alongside the RAF.
This Army Airforce & Naval. Plus the naval bases put out to RN use.Comment
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Probably couldn’t get the primer Steve, after all, there was a war on!Comment
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Yes primer on pigs would have ruined the crackling.
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I couldn't find any numbers for the animals in the New Forest for 1939/40. I did find more recent data in the minutes of meetings of the Verderer's Court. This is for the last couple of years.
That's a lot of animals wandering about freely!Comment
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Yep, if you live in the forest you have a cattle grid on your drive! That doesn’t include the pigs turned out to graze the acorns in the autumn. A lot of it is closer to moorland than forest!Comment
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I used to drive through the New Forest occasionally, and always stuck to the speed limits. I'd usually be overtaken though, on one occasion by a 4X4 towing a caravan, who must have been doing at least 60 in the 40 limit.
PeteComment
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The real idiots come out after dark Peter....I’ve been passed by bikers at stupid speeds after dark!Comment
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Towards the end of the B of B night bombing by the Luftwaffe began over Britain.
Perhaps a failure to predict & prepare for by Dowding. Never the less it took place.
I acquired this artistic piece some years ago. I often stand & study it.
Hunters Moon by Gerald Coulson.
For me he performed his magic. A lone Hawker Hurricane on night duty. The moon in the distance. It just says it all superb.
The pilot in his high-bred aircraft looking down over the expanse of England. That Merlin at low revs purring away. The pilot tucked away warm behind that all singing Merlin.
Just put yourself as Pilot, as I do, on top of the world out there to protect your people. Looking left right up down waiting for a scent. Glancing at all those dials then back. Just a singleton over a sleeping England.
A young man with total responsibility looking down, alone, what was he thinking. His young life just starting & given this awesome task. What was his future. Putting his life on the line.
Right of the line the place of honor and greatest danger in battle.
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