08/04/2025
There were two Spifires buzzing around Orkney this afternoon…. Shame they weren’t here 1940….
I’m doing a tour at HMS TERN on Wednesday 2pm and will revisit this story… and also the Fleet Air Arm’s response on 10th with raid on Bergen.
HMS TERN open for visitors Weds & Suns 11-4
Guided tours Wed, Fri & Sun 2pm
Details: hmstern.co.uk
8th April 1940
8.00pm: In Scapa Flow: HMS CURLEW’s radar plot shows unidentified aircraft approaching, 80 miles from Orkney.
8.15pm: Hurricanes take off from Wick to intercept German aircraft heading for Scapa Flow. Estimates vary - at least 24 raiders.
OSDef HQ (Orkney & Shetland Defences - Stromness Hotel) - CO Brigadier Kemp very unwell - has spent day in bed but…
“got out by raid 8.15. Dressed and saw whole show.”
8.20pm Orkney: Air Raid Warning RED
First wave of attacks on Scapa Flow. Targeting booms across Hoxa and Switha Sounds. AA guns open barrage fire.
Flotta: Buchanan Coast Battery hit by bombs - no casualties - battery still under construction and not manned.
‘Scapa Barrage’ Heavy AA fire over Scapa Flow proves effective - attacking planes make no attempts at dive-bombing against ships.
8.35pm: Hurricanes from Wick intercept six enemy aircraft 40 miles E of Copinsay. Formation broken up, one shot down into sea. Heinel 111 lands at Wick, two crew dead, pilot & wireless operator taken prisoner. Great difficulty for pilots - planes attacking from W, no light.
HMS CURLEW estimates 24 planes in attacks, “The objective appeared to be the Hoxa and Switha booms. High level bombing against a floating boom could hardly be expected to achieve success. No bombs fell particularly close to the target.”
Images © IWM
Brigadier Kemp: (Art.IWM ART LD 3256)
4.5-inch gun (H 8263)
