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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Northumberland => Topic started by: Phodgetts on Thursday 06 November 14 16:41 GMT (UK)
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Hi Rootschatters and Blyth folk.
I have an old photo of a scene in Blyth Market place of a Messerschmitt (109?) which was shot down and the pilot managed to land in the square! I don't know what happened to him.
I haven't been able to find out anything about this, and was uncertain that it was even Blyth, however, you can see the Hedley Fountain just in front of the propellers. From what scant information I do have, it happened in January of 1941.
Can anyone tell me anything? I'd love to know more, as no doubt would other Blyth folk.
Philip
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I did a quick look in the newspapers but nothing coming up. (though that could be down to my search terms!)
I haven't looked, but these pages may have something: http://www.nediary.bpears.org.uk/index.html
Boo
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I already looked in the North East Diaries and there is nothing of this matter described on any dates through December of 1940 through to the end of January 1941. I had hoped there might be something in the newspaper archive at Blyth Library, but I am too far away from there to go look myself, or perhaps there is something at Woodhorn about it.
P
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I don't remember anything about this, I was 5yrs old at the time.
There's another Blyth in Nottinghamshire - perhaps it was there?
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Hi, I live not far fron Blyth in Nottinghamshire and spent my early years in Blyth Northumberland where I was born. Looking at the photo I do not think that this is at Blyth Notts as it is only a small village and not really any large areas as in photo. There is a green but nothing like on photo.
To me it looks more like Blyth Northumberland market place.
I cannot remember my mother talking about this incident but she used to tell me and my younger brother of the time when the air raid siren went off and she didn't want to get out of bed to go down the yard. She did go down and minutes later a bomb came down through the roof. The family lived in Salisbury Street at the time. She always thought that she was so very lucky.
Barbara
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Yes, it's an Me Bf 109 fighter (33,000 built). Looks like it's being set up as a trophy of war. Port wing is off to left. Cockpit canopy not in view. Must have landed more or less intact, very little damage visible.
Northumberland or Nottinghamshire, not sure whether they had the range. Former possibly from Norway but I don't know.
The I was pilots rank I think and the 7 the aircraft number in unit. There's also a unit insignia on the aircraft. Too small to identify.
Hopefully someone knows more.
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Must have landed more or less intact, very little damage visible.
Thanks Regorian. I see the propeller blades are bent so the engine was running when it landed and must have tipped forward for the blades to hit the ground.
It is definitely Blyth in Northumberland because the Hedley Fountain is recognisable. I am assuming that the plane was in front of the Central Cinema, and the photo is taken from one of the upstairs windows at the cinema.
P
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Excellent news has filtered through from someone at Blyth.
"The photo is of either the plane arriving or leaving after War Weapons Week, as you will see by the attached photo which appeared in the Blyth News during that week. The shearlegs means it was either arriving or leaving. In my copy you can see the collection box in the cockpit. It arrived on Monday 27 January, 1941, but I haven't got a firm date for it leaving, which was early in February, 1941."
Gordon
I love it when there are answers to these questions.
Thanks to everyone for their comments thus far and to Gordon (and Dave for his help) for his confirmation of what it was all about.
P ;D
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Stock Photo - Unloading a German Messerschmitt plane shot down over England at Blyth Market Place January 1941. http://www.rootschat.com/links/01e4o/
Stan
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My picture is NOT from that source.
P
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I'm not implying it was! I don't know why you think so? That photograph has "alamy" superimposed on it, so obviously not the same as yours :). I was just pointing out what the caption says, that they were unloading a German Messerschmitt plane shot down over England. After all it is a stock photo.
Stan
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Stock Photo - Unloading a German Messerschmitt plane shot down over England at Blyth Market Place January 1941. http://www.rootschat.com/links/01e4o/
Stan
You can see the other wing on the left, lying on the ground.
Stan
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Even though I don't remember this event I'm sure there must be someone on that photo that I know or knew. Trying to recognise them!
There were quite a few children there, wearing the handknitted "pixie hats" which were popular in those days. Most men in flat caps, a few trilbys and the ladies with a a variety of headgear. It was January, so rather cold, but that didn't keep us hardy northerners indoors.
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Stock Photo - Unloading a German Messerschmitt plane shot down over England at Blyth Market Place January 1941. http://www.rootschat.com/links/01e4o/
Stan
It says the photograph was taken 1st January 1941
Stan
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Now i'm curious. My granny used to tell me that a German bomber was shot down over Cowpen New Town, the men were watching what was going on outside the anderson shelter, they all shouted "GET DOWN!" and jumped into the shelter. The plane landed on the Cambois side of the river, she never told me what year it was.
Just wondering if this is the plane from the story, being shown off in Blyth Market?
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Excellent news has filtered through from someone at Blyth.
"The photo is of either the plane arriving or leaving after War Weapons Week, as you will see by the attached photo which appeared in the Blyth News during that week. The shearlegs means it was either arriving or leaving. In my copy you can see the collection box in the cockpit. It arrived on Monday 27 January, 1941, but I haven't got a firm date for it leaving, which was early in February, 1941."
Gordon
I love it when there are answers to these questions.
Thanks to everyone for their comments thus far and to Gordon (and Dave for his help) for his confirmation of what it was all about.
P ;D
Hello, I'm currently researching this plane and would love to see the picture mentioned in your post.
would it be possible for you to email me the image?
many many thanks in advance
Rich.
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There are versions of this photo with a caption stating that it was on display to help the town’s War Weapons Week.
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There are versions of this photo with a caption stating that it was on display to help the town’s War Weapons Week.
I have the images that are available online, I'm hoping to get a copy of the image mentioned in the message "In my copy you can see the collection box in the cockpit."
this I have never seen before.
Thanks
Rich.
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The exact photo in the first post is in the Newcastle Journal dated Tuesday, January 28th 1941. It is showing on the front page. Under the photo is the writing 'Unloading a German Messerschmitt 'plane shot down over this country, at Blyth Market Place yesterday, for exhibition in connection with the town's War Weapons Week.'
Also, on page 6 of the same newspaper:
'BOMBS ON NORTH-EAST DO LITTLE DAMAGE
After London had completed a week of raid-free nights, with only very slight activity in other parts of Britain, enemy planes were reported yesterday in the vicinity of points in North East England, East Anglia, the East Midlands and East Scotland. One of the raiders was shot down in the afternoon.
Several bombs were dropped on a North-East Coast town early in the morning causing little damage but seriously injuring a few persons, before the raider was chased out to sea by British planes.
The enemy, flying very low also machine-gunned another North-East Coast town but caused no injury or damage.
The plane shot down was a JU 88 which ranged over a large part of East Britain in the afternoon, dropping bombs which killed several people in an East Coast town and damaging some buildings.
It was shot down by anti-air-craft fire as it made for home, crashed near the coast and burnt out.
The crew of four were captured.'
I know zilch about planes but I wonder if the plane referred to on page 6 is the one showing on the front page and also on the first post of this thread. They are definitely the same photo but the one on this thread is by far better quality than the newspaper one.
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Hi all thanks for reply, I’m not after information on this photo, I was after the second photo referred to in a letter from Gordon, I have spoken to him today and he has send me the photo so thanks to all that took a look in and answered.
I have what I need now,
Thank you all.
Rich.