The raid on the Parnall Aircraft factory was carried out by a lone German Heinkel 111 P-2 which flew a so-called ‘pirate’ attack in broad daylight specifically to bomb the factory. The bombs were released from a height of 30 metres. The plane was hit by British anti-aircraft fire, but limped on one engine back to its base at Bourges in France, landing 5 hours and 50 minutes after initial take-off. This selection of resources covers various aspects of the raid.
The turret assembly shop
Photo taken in 1940, before the raid.
© Creda Archive
See more See more: /images/uploads/classroom/91_bigpic_01.jpgAerial view of Parnall's
Notice its location next to the railway line from Bristol.
© Creda Archive
See more See more: /images/uploads/classroom/91_bigpic_02.jpgGerman air crew
The Luftwaffe crew of the Heinkel 111 that bombed Parnall’s.
© John Penny
See more See more: /images/uploads/classroom/91_bigpic_03.jpgReconnaissance photo
German aerial reconnaissance photo with map of Parnall’s superimposed.
See more See more: /images/uploads/classroom/91_bigpic_04.jpgBomb damaged factory
© Creda Archive
See more See more: /images/uploads/classroom/91_bigpic_05.jpgWar memorial
Memorial to those who lost their lives in the raid on Parnall’s in the churchyard at Yate.
© Yate & District Heritage Centre
See more See more: /images/uploads/classroom/91_bigpic_06.jpg
