"Grim Harbinger for Cowes"

C: in the series "Echoes of the Home Front by John Howard Worsley

Extract from the Story-Sheet:

Tom Anderson had worked a long night shift at Osborne and, needing to clear his head around dawn, went out across the fields towards the river. The morning dew soaked into his shoes and nearby, a blackbird started to sing. The beautiful sound in that clear air was gradually eroded by the distant snarl of aero engines. Thinking it was from returning Spitfires, Tom scanned the river and saw several dark, extremely low aircraft approaching. As the aircraft flashed past, they were at eye level and their distinctive black crosses and under-slung bombs told him the awful truth.

Tom saw the aircraft split formation as they came upon Somerton and soon the crump of exploding bombs followed by the tin-roof rattle of machine gun fire, drifted back to dispel any sweet morning dreams of nature. The blackbird had flown.

As a young girl, Mary Rivron was minding her own business in her parent's garden privy in Arctic Road when she heard the aircraft pass. The combined roar of engines, gave an extra urgency to her task.

At Adelaide Grove East Cowes, schoolboy James Copeland was roused from bed by his mother.
"Quick James, look out of your window, ... Spitfires are coming down the river."

From his vantage point, James had a clear view as the aeroplanes divided into three groups. He saw the leaders continue past along the river, two or three broke away towards Somerton and the others went close behind his home, their screaming supercharged engines making the windows rattle.

"They're not Spitfires" shouted James, "They're Germans."

"Don't be silly, I know Spitfires when I see them."

"Then what are those black things falling from them?"

A similar scenario was occurring across the river at 14 Stephenson Road Cowes. Young Peter Ralph was called by his father who had become apprehensive when he heard the fighters approaching. Looking down to the river Peter witnessed the leaders streak through almost touching the water. Again, the black crosses on the fuselages left an indelible mark upon the boy's mind.

Very shortly afterwards, some of the delayed action fuses activated and the twin towns were rocked by the first blasts as the Messerschmitts wheeled around and returned from the Solent. Passing once more over their shocked victims, they strafed randomly with their guns and departed to the west, heading back the way they had come.

In the story-sheet, a hair-raising account follows, concerning the 'do-it-yourself' - disarming of one of the bombs which failed to explode

Available as hand mounted prints 10" x 8" , 14" x 11" & 20" x 16".

Also available to order as Canvas Repro'