Barrage balloon in Gosport WW2

[overlandermatt]

I'm looking for some help regarding a story my father tells from his childhood during WW2. I don't know the date of the incident but perhaps it was reported in a local newspaper...

He lived with his parents in St Lukes Road in Gosport. One night, one of the air defence barrage balloons must have malfunctioned and landed on the house. Everyone awoke to a house in total darkness. It could have been worse - the balloons were Hydrogen-filled. Sadly, I don't have any other details but it would be great to find out more.

Thank you in advance for any further details anyone can unearth.

[*Sandra*]

Perhaps not quite what you asked for but may be of interest.

Southern Daily Echo
Southampton, Hampshire,
Sat, 23 Sept 1989
Page 20

https://www.newspapers.com/article/southern-daily-echo/178443266/

Southern Daily Echo
Southampton, Hampshire
Thu, 23 May 1940
Page 4

https://www.newspapers.com/article/southern-daily-echo/178444412/

During World War II, barrage balloons were deployed extensively in and around Gosport, Hampshire, as part of Britain's air defense strategy. These large, unmanned balloons, tethered by steel cables, were designed to hinder enemy aircraft, particularly low-flying bombers, by forcing them to fly higher or risk entanglement with the cables. In Gosport, both 932 and 933 Squadrons of the RAF were involved in deploying barrage balloons, with 933 Squadron specifically covering the Gosport area.


Many articles but not for Gosport 

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

The Tragedy of 933 Barrage Balloon Squadron at Gosport 12th August 1940 - with photographs

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01twu/

Sandra

[overlandermatt]

Thanks Sandra. Very interesting articles. I shall have to investigate further to see if there are any clues about when the incident took place.

I had no idea about the deadly attack described.

Thank you again for finding time to help.

Matt

[MollyC]

The Operations Book for 933 squadron is available to download free from the National Archives,
ref Air27/2272/5.  Around 10 am there were 36 balloons operating in 2 Flights in Gosport, commanded from 12 Balloon Centre, Portsmouth.

The event is reported very briefly on page 330:
"Gosport   12/8/40
1554   From B.Flight. - 33/9 Balloon breakaway between 1200 and 1300 hours.  Actual time unknown  No witnesses  Winch burnt out  Cause Bomber shrapnel"

However on the previous page, at 1158 there had been a red air-raid warning from Portsmouth,  then
"1305   From F/Lt Kelly R.A.F. Reporting a direct hit on 33/9   Evacuation in progress 2 bodies recovered   No. of other casualties unknown."

[a message to 12 Balloon Centre]
"1350    To 12 BC - 33/9 direct hit.  33/7 both sides hut caving in.  Hut habitable but needs repairing."

(Amended)

[MollyC]

This happened in the middle of the day.  If the balloon shrouded the house it may have made it dark, or else it had been adrift for hours.

[MollyC]

Similar to the newspaper article 23 May 1940, in reply #1, "parachutists" were also reported on 12 August:

"1312     From C.Flight.- reporting parachutists seen 1½ m North Fareham during raid could not contact by                  phone    Reported direct New Barracks Fareham"

[Little Nell]

I've found a couple of websites which might be of interest.

https://gosport.info/  - the person who runs it might have some information and there is a specific page for memories of Gosport in the 1940s.

https://www.bbrclub.org/Site%20Directory.htm

This one has a page on an incident in August 1940 involving 933 Squadron stationed in Gosport on a sports ground which is not that far from St. Luke's Road.

Nell

[overlandermatt]

Thanks Molly and Nell.

I will have to ask my father for more information. I don't know too much about this incident but it was story my grandmother used to tell. If the event was in 1940 then my father would not have had any recollections but would no doubt have been a family tale for the ages.

He certainly recalls the D-Day preparations and build up of equipment.

I've got some digging to do. The 1940 bombing raid brings it home how close to home the danger was.

Thank you again.