The Bombing of New Malden 16th August 1940 (and V1 raids)
On 16th August 1940 at just after 5.20pm, New Malden, Surrey was subjected to a 30 minute bombing raid.
This video, compiled from bomb maps, visually indicates the extent of the raid.
Understandably, as dropped in stacks/ sticks, the bomb explosions would have been closer together and the video as such extends the drama and tension. However, irrespective of whether or not the stick of bombs exploded, "bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!" - in as much time as it takes you to read or say it (which is the reality), you would have been in your shelter and hearing them advance toward you, ground shaking, hoping they go by and beyond your position!
Therefore, pick any location on the map, a house, the station, a church (blue circle), a garden shelter and see how you would have fared.
The larger bombs (red/yellow) are 'high explosives', the majority of others were either incendiary and or small explosive.
New Malden (as elsewhere) was heavily bombed throughout the war and this solely indicates that first raid!
V1 raids: From approximately 06.30 in the video after the last bombs, you will here the later sound of the 'Doodlebug'
Then, from late 1944 onward and towards the end of the war, an ominous droning sound was heard above New Malden (and of course, south east England) - the terrifying V1.
You were fine when you heard the engine but then it stopped! People knew they may have only 12-15 seconds or so left to live.
Pick a spot on the map and when the engine stops count back from 12. If you were fortunate to hear the explosion you knew that, until the next droning sound, you were comparatively safe. We have indicated some of the locations of V1 explosions and then jump back to the summary of the first raid.
This video is not intended to scare but is simply show how one town fared.
Finally, it was on the 16th August 1940, that Winston Churchill, visiting RAF Uxbridge and seeing the plots of the RAF fighters against the bombing raids, first expressed " Never in the History of Mankind, has so much been owed by so many, to so few!"
In travelling back from Uxbridge, his friend 'Ismay' advised him that he could not say that as people may object to the phrase 'History of Mankind' and may cite Jesus and his Disciples as 'so few'!
Churchill therefore changed the wording to what was later voiced in Parliament on the following Wednesday " Never, in the field of human conflict, has so much been owed by so many, to so few!" Whilst this is a famous quote and refers to our thin line of defence, provided by Fighter Command, Churchill continued in his speech and also praised the bravery of the crews of Bomber Command!
On 16th August 1940 at just after 5.20pm, New Malden, Surrey was subjected to a 30 minute bombing raid.
This video, compiled from bomb maps, visually indicates the extent of the raid.
Understandably, as dropped in stacks/ sticks, the bomb explosions would have been closer together and the video as such extends the drama and tension. However, irrespective of whether or not the stick of bombs exploded, "bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!" - in as much time as it takes you to read or say it (which is the reality), you would have been in your shelter and hearing them advance toward you, ground shaking, hoping they go by and beyond your position!
Therefore, pick any location on the map, a house, the station, a church (blue circle), a garden shelter and see how you would have fared.
The larger bombs (red/yellow) are 'high explosives', the majority of others were either incendiary and or small explosive.
New Malden (as elsewhere) was heavily bombed throughout the war and this solely indicates that first raid!
V1 raids: From approximately 06.30 in the video after the last bombs, you will here the later sound of the 'Doodlebug'
Then, from late 1944 onward and towards the end of the war, an ominous droning sound was heard above New Malden (and of course, south east England) - the terrifying V1.
You were fine when you heard the engine but then it stopped! People knew they may have only 12-15 seconds or so left to live.
Pick a spot on the map and when the engine stops count back from 12. If you were fortunate to hear the explosion you knew that, until the next droning sound, you were comparatively safe. We have indicated some of the locations of V1 explosions and then jump back to the summary of the first raid.
This video is not intended to scare but is simply show how one town fared.
Finally, it was on the 16th August 1940, that Winston Churchill, visiting RAF Uxbridge and seeing the plots of the RAF fighters against the bombing raids, first expressed " Never in the History of Mankind, has so much been owed by so many, to so few!"
In travelling back from Uxbridge, his friend 'Ismay' advised him that he could not say that as people may object to the phrase 'History of Mankind' and may cite Jesus and his Disciples as 'so few'!
Churchill therefore changed the wording to what was later voiced in Parliament on the following Wednesday " Never, in the field of human conflict, has so much been owed by so many, to so few!" Whilst this is a famous quote and refers to our thin line of defence, provided by Fighter Command, Churchill continued in his speech and also praised the bravery of the crews of Bomber Command!