THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — www.findonvillage.com  created by Valerie Martin, contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.

BATTLE OF BRITAIN IN THE FINDON AREA — SEPTEMBER 1940.

Copyright Valerie Martin 2001.

WEDNESDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER 1940 dawned.  It was bright, fine and warm with a light haze hanging over the sea and coast.  The Luftwaffe took to the air early to carry out Herr Goering's orders to crush Britain's aircraft industry for once and for all. It was around midday when the first menacing wave of enemy aircraft appeared like a swarm of bees in the sky out to sea. The day brought the beginning of the decisive air struggle between our Royal Air Force and the German Luftwaffe which was known as the Battle of Britain. 

I understand that a formidable formation of around seventy Heinkel He-111 bombers and Dornier Do-17 bombers were escorted by some two hundred threatening Messerschmitt Bf-109 and Bf-110 fighters heading towards Kent, where they divided to attack their targets.  Another gaggle of low level flying Bf-110s had their sights firmly on Guildford and the Vickers factory at Brooklands.  Last but not least, a group of Bf-110s attacked the radar station at Poling not far from Findon.

An immense air battle with Messerschmitt 110 fighters resulted in many of them being brought down near to Findon. The fighter pilots of the Royal Air Force were on the verge of defeat, their airfields suffering devastating daily attacks.  On that historic Wednesday, no fewer than eight raiders were shot down, including five Messerschmitt 110 aircraft, within a few miles of Findon.  Some of the crews baled out and at least one wounded pilot was admitted to Worthing Hospital.  It has been very difficult for me to sort out the various crashes and all I can do is document the details I have been told.

On 4TH SEPTEMBER 1940, a Messerschmitt Bf-110 was witnessed from Findon to make a dramatic crash on the present route of the A24 north of Findon, at WASHINGTON.  I have collected conflicting reports on this one too.  One story relates that the Messerschmitt was attacked by Squadron Leader Ceasar Hull serving with 43 Squadron flying a Hurricane from Tangmere, the German aircraft went into a Hollywood style steep dive towards a field at Church Farm.  It hurtled downwards with such speed and violence that the machine plunged into the ground to a great depth and nothing could be seen except a crater.  Smouldering black smoke billowed in all directions.  John Vasco (co-author of "Zerstoerer, The Messerschmitt 110 and its units in 1940") put me right in February 2002 by saying Florenz and Herbert were, in fact, shot down by Flight Lieutenant Dalton-Morgan and not Ceasar Hull!  

Obviously, the Luftwaffe pilot, Oberleutnant Florenz (Flying Officer), and Gefreiter Herbert (Aircraftsman First Class) were killed instantly. 

In 1965 a group of keen aviation enthusiasts excavated the area and both of the Messerschmitt's engines were recovered together with the undercarriage.  The mortal remains of the aircrew were discovered too. The location of this crash is now under the tarmac of the modern A24 road.  At a later time during road widening, workmen unearthed (much to their surprise) a parachute pack.

On FRIDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 1940 (unlucky for some) the weather was unsettled as the drone of enemy bombers was heard over Findon en route for the capital.   Buckingham Palace was bombed and the following morning, Worthing was targeted at 06.30 and received six bombs.  

Bombs also began to rain on Findon.  One of these fell in the field on the north side of the Long Furlong road, A280, opposite Huntsman's House and the cricket pitch, and smashed into a greenhouse.  Another fell in a field to the west of Cissbury and killed a young horse. 

The Findon Sheep Fair was in the process of being pitched in SEPTEMBER 1940 on Nepcote Green when the Regional Commission for the War Office telegraphed a message declaring that the site was too dangerous and close to the coast. It does not seem possible now but Nepcote Green was deemed a prime target for German air attack. The Sheep Fair was subsequently compulsorily moved further inland to West Grinstead.

Britain's defences were it seems stronger than Goering had guessed.   His idea had been to cripple the Royal Air Force by mid-September.   Hitler had plans to launch twenty-five divisions to land between Folkestone and the coast below Findon on the 21ST SEPTEMBER 1940.

The distant drone of aircraft activity overhead was heard around 17:00 on Monday 30TH SEPTEMBER 1940.   It was generally fair but cloudy with light winds.  At first the high flying planes were indistinguishable from one another as a fierce battle ensued.  But then the enemy aircraft puffed out blankets of smoke screens in an attempt to evade the pursuing British fighters.  Villagers watched as the foe were eventually pushed beyond the Downs and far out over the sea.  It was later reported on the news that some forty-five German planes had been shot down in that particular unsuccessful raid.

The warning wail of the air raid sirens was by now heard with such frequency and monotony that the majority of the Findon community were treating them with indifference.

Continue if you would like to read about The High Salvington Messerschmitt — 4th September 1940

THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — was launched by Valerie Martin in January 1999 and will grow to be a historical record of life in Findon, West Sussex, U.K.