V-1 Flying Bombs in Yorkshire.

The 24th December 1944 was the only date that V-1 Flying Bombs landed in Yorkshire. Forty five V-1's were launched by Heinkel HeIII's, belonging to KG.53, around forty miles off the east coast of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire between 05.00hrs and 06.00hrs. Their target was directed at Manchester but fourteen fell into the North Sea before reach the coast. Seven found the wider Greater Manchester area and forty two people died in total. Nine fell short and landed in Yorkshire, with one of these failing to explode. No direct fatalities appear to have resulted in Yorkshire though one lady died a few months later having never recovered from the shock of the explosion near her house. The whole story has been well documented elsewhere and this webpage is created to give the basic details so that the incidents are covered on this website. Yorkshire got away fairly lightly on this occasion. Other V-1 ones landed on the western side of the Pennine hills and caused more damage. In no specific order, the Yorkshire ones read as follows...

Willerby, Hull. At between 05.45hrs and 05.50hrs. Damaging Springwell Pumping Station and housing. No serious casualties appear to have resulted.

South Cliffe Common, four miles south of Market Weighton. At between 05.45hrs and 05.50hrs.

Back Lane area of Barmby Moor, near Pocklington. At between 05.45hrs and 05.50hrs. Possibly damaging a 102 Squadron Halifax at Pocklington airfield. No injuries appear to have resulted.

Read's Island, Humber. At between 05.45hrs and 05.50hrs. Did not explode.

Rossington, Doncaster. No information.

Beighton, Sheffield. At 05.40hrs causing some damage to Field Farm, between Holbrook and Beighton, just north of the explosion site. Windows were broken in around 150 buildings. No serious injuries appear to have resulted.

Margery Hill. On open moorland between Howden Reservoir and Stocksbridge.

Little Toothill Farm, Hubberton Green, Sowerby Bridge. Exploded in a field just behind the farmhouse damaging it. Unfortunately the farmer's wife Mrs Carter died in June 1945 brought on by shock

Grange Moor, Huddersfield / Dewsbury area. In a field near Dumb Steeple Farm. Damaged housing, church and village pub.