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TOPIC: Wartime Activity on the Colneis Peninsular
John Cooper


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I had this information passed to me by a friend some time back he writes: [he tells me these notes were written up by a Police Inspector in a diary from Felixstowe Police Station]  

I have come across a wartime diary relating to events around the Felixstowe area from 1939 to 1945. It covers events to do with RAF Felixstowe, RAF Martlesham, RAF Woodbridge, Harwich Harbour and we start off with December the 7th. 1939.


Flying Boat, hostile, flying low over the sea, close inshore, SE of Landguard Point, Felixstowe. Illuminated by searchlights, Machine-gunfire from the aircraft apparently at searchlights on shore. Fire returned by machine guns from defences.


Saturday 6th. December 1941.

1400hrs. Eastern Command, Military Exercise "Scorch" began, ended Sunday 7th. December 1941.


Thursday 7th. December 1944, 0131hrs. Lancaster Bomber, home station RAF Mepal, returning from operations made a forced landing in the River Orwell, off Jill's Hole, Shotley, due to engine trouble. Crew took to dingy, hoisted sail and came ashore at Stratton Hall, and then walked to Alston Hall, Trimley st. Martin. Crew of 7 all safe. No.184310. F/O Atkin D. F. (Pilot) P/O Thurston (Bombardier), F/S Curtis (W/O)  SGT. Jones (F/Eng.) Sgt. Madden (Mid upper gunner) and Sgt. Johnston (Rear Gunner) (Looks like they forgot to mention the Navigator as that only accounts for six).


Thursday 7th. December 1944. from 1835 to 1900 hrs. Flying Bombs exploded in A.A. barrage E.N.E. of Felixstowe. One passed over Felixstowe heading W. S. W.



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Friday 8th. December.1939

At 1840 hrs. 6 red distress flares sighted out at sea S.E. of Felixstowe.

Wednesday 9th. December 1942.

588 Heavy A.A.Battery R.A. moved from Landguard, Felixstowe to Dovercourt, Essex.

Wednesday 9th. December 1942.

1645 hrs. Brown rubber cloth balloon about 10 ft. diameter, to which were attached splines, silver paper and an iron weight, were found at Felixstowe Ferry. apparently British, and used for radiolocation exercises.




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John Cooper


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Sunday 10th.

December 1939 at 1613 hrs. Fairy Battle Plane forced landed in Chapel Field at Bucklesham.

Sunday 10th.December 1939

Polish Destroyers Blyskawica, Grom and Burza (meaning Lightning, Thunder and Storm) moored in Harwich Harbour near Felixstowe Dock.

Tuesday 10th. December 1940.

At about 1550 hrs. two H. E. bombs size not known fell into the sea off Landguard, Felixstowe.

Thursday 10th. December 1942

607 (Mixed) Heavy A. A. Battery moved to Landguard, Felixstowe.

Friday December 10th. 1943

2012 hrs. During A. A. gunfire from defences a light A. A. shell struck one of the gasometers at Felixstowe Gas Works, Walton Avenue, exploding and holing it. The escaping gas caught fire and about 150,000 cubic ft. of gas were burnt or otherwise lost, fire extinguished at 2134 hrs.

Sunday 10th. December 1944.

Several flying bombs passed North and South of Felixstowe flying S.W. One fell at Chelmondiston near the church [demolished]. One in a field near Red House Farm, Levington,(damage to windows and roofs of houses nearby) Several exploded in an A. A. barrage over the sea south of Felixstowe. Windows of seven shops in Station road, Orwell Road, and Cobbold Road also Bent Hill at Felixstowe were broken.






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Monday 11th. December 1944 at 1019hrs.

H.E. Bomb dropped by American Liberator bomber (One of a formation apparently preparing for an operation) in the sea near the head of the pier at Felixstowe


Monday 11th. December 1944 2310 hrs.

Flying bombs passed inland some distance South of Felixstowe. No Air Raid 'Alert' received at Felixstowe.




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John Cooper


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Thursday, December 12th. 1940. 0522hrs.

4x1kg I.Bs fell in Langer Road, Arwela Rd. Burgate Rd. and Sea Rd. Felixstowe.


Thursday, December 12th. 1940. 2120hrs.

AA. gunfire from defences at a plane over Harwich Harbour area. 2140hrs, Red flares East of Felixstowe and the sound of an explosion.



Sunday, December 12th. 1943.

German anti-minesweeping float (conical float) found washed up at Felixstowe Ferry.



Tuesday, December 12th. 1944.

Approx. 6 Flying bombs passed North and some South of Felixstowe. Some shot down.



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