Britain's First Air Battle: The Untold Story of the Battle of the River Forth

On October 16, 1939, the skies over Scotland witnessed the first air battle in British history-a defining moment as the Royal Air Force squared off against the Luftwaffe over the Firth of Forth. This event, known as the Battle of the River Forth, marked Britain’s first direct encounter with German forces in the air and highlighted the readiness of the RAF and the strategic importance of Scotland’s east coast defenses.
In this historical recount, we delve into the dramatic events of that autumn day, just weeks after Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain declared war on Germany. As RAF fighter squadrons, particularly 602 City of Glasgow Squadron and 603 City of Edinburgh Squadron, took to the skies, they were tasked with defending critical naval assets like HMS Edinburgh, HMS Southampton, and HMS Repulse from German Heinkel He-111 and Junker Ju-88 bombers on a reconnaissance and assault mission.
Watch as we bring history to life, sharing details of Spitfire pilots intercepting German bombers over the Forth Rail Bridge, the intense skirmishes, and the high-stakes dogfights that unfolded over Edinburgh, Dunbar, and North Berwick. Get a closer look at the heroism displayed by Flight Lieutenant George Pinkerton and his Spitfire squadron as they scrambled to protect Scotland from what was initially believed to be an attack on the iconic HMS Hood.
With insights into the role of RAF Drone Hill’s early radar detection and the strategic importance of Scotland’s coastlines in WWII, this video is a deep dive into a day that set the stage for British air defense and the RAF’s eventual triumph in the Battle of Britain. Witness the suspense and heroics that laid the foundation for RAF’s air strategy and learn about the Luftwaffe’s reconnaissance missions that sought to undermine British resolve from the air.
Highlights of this historic event include:
Detailed analysis of RAF’s defensive strategy and Squadron tactics
Early radar technology at Drone Hill and how it aided RAF's response time
Heinkel He-111 bombers vs. Spitfire Mark I aircraft: A tale of engineering and pilot skill
Eyewitness accounts of RAF and Royal Navy coordination, with Spitfires intercepting near the Forth Rail Bridge
Insights into British morale and resilience in the early days of WWII
The Battle of the River Forth remains a testament to Scotland's vital role in the Allied air defense strategy and marks the first instance of German bombers over Britain in WWII, showcasing the resolve and courage of RAF's auxiliary squadrons. Whether you're a history enthusiast, WWII aficionado, or just discovering this critical moment, this video will provide an immersive view of Britain’s early defenses against the might of the German war machine.
💥 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share to support more engaging content on WWII air battles, the RAF’s defense tactics, and the courageous stories that shaped history.
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[@gavingaming123]

One of the Luftwaffe bomber crews was named Friedrich “Sonny Hansen” and he was born in Newstead near Melrose in the Scottish Borders. His father was German and his mother was a hairdresser born in Melrose. After the First World War his family moved to Germany. When he lay dying of his wounds he asked for the Minister that had baptised him, the local police located him and asked him if he knew Sonny, he replied “of course I baptised him”. The aircrew were given a full military funeral through Musselburgh with flag draped coffins and a wreath marked “From Scottish mothers to German mothers. Thanks for sharing. All the best from the Scottish Borders. GD

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

What a fascinating insight, thank you.

[@harryfaber]

I used to know a former RAF bomber pilot, who flew Stirlings on ops. His name was Harry Kogel, and his grandfather was German, the family coming to England just before WW1. He was terrified of being shot down over Germany, as he thought he might be treated as some sort of traitor. He was shot down, but on long finals for his home airfield, by an intruder. War is a terrible thing, and it creates a situation where ordinary people are forced to fight for 'their side', in some cases without really knowing which side they should be on. We should all be on the side of honourable peace.

[@jamesporter1123]

thanks for adding a bit more colour and detail to this part of the story.

[@leslieirvine1961]

Such an excellent and interesting video. 👏

[@michaeltaylor8835]

I could not attack the place I was born

[@stumpy6479]

My Dad was on HMS Mohawk and told me about this.He stayed with the ship until it was sunk in the Med in 1941,by the Italian fleet,just off the coast of north Africa .He survived(I would'nt be here if not) and went on to be involved in the landings at Anzio and D day coxwaining landing craft.I wish I knew more about it but,like most,he didnt say much about it,only anecdotes about what he and his mates got up to.He did say Comander Jolly was a great C.O.I miss my Dad even now after 25 years after he died.RIP all those that died in that conflict.

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

@@stumpy6479 He probably knew my wife's dad - David Bradwell - who I suspect joined Mohawk's crew after this event but who was also among the survivors of its sinking.

[@derekheeps8012]

My son , who is currently 14 , had a history lesson last year , from an English teacher , who told his class that the first German aircraft shot down during WWII , were over London . I'm pleased to say that Harris ( my son ) pointed out that this was incorrect , and that it had been German bombers attacking ( as I thought , the Forth Bridge , at the time the only bridge so simply called the Forth Bridge ) which were shot down by local squadrons . Fortunately , said teacher checked his facts and admitted at the next lesson that Harris was correct .

[@rha4374]

@@derekheeps8012 O Derek, You just can't get the staff nowadays, but the Englanders have a habit of stealing credit from others don't they!

[@murrayangus]

I didn't realize that Luftwaffe attacks over the UK started so early in the war, especially over the Firth of Forth. An amazing account of the first aerial encounters.

[@Frserthegreenengine]

As a resident of Edinburgh, so glad someone finally made a video about this raid. I heard about this a long time ago, although I was initially told that the bombers were actually trying to target the Forth Bridge, only to then read up later that it was false and that the Bombers always intended to go for the warships. (I mean the passengers on the bridge thought they were the target and so that was pretty understandable for them to think like that). Still a fascinating story and this was certainly the Spitfire's first proper baptism of fire (excluding the "Battle of Barking Creek"). Thanks for the video.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks.

[@derekheeps8012]

The bridge was always a secondary target - why wouldn't it be ?

[@scotiajinker8392]

My dad was on the train , he was 6yrs old. His mum (my gran) were on their way from Glasgow to Dunfermline to visit my grans relatives. The train stopped on the bridge instead of building up steam to speed off the bridge. I wish my dad was still alive as he would have loved this information of the battle.

[@hw7782]

My Dad was a pilot of a Ju-88. He was before with the KG26 flying a He-111. He was in the KG 30, but I don't know, whether he was part in this attack, too. In May 1940 he and his crew had to make a belly landing because his left engine was hit by a british fighter in front of the coast of Norway. At this time he was stationed in Stavanger Sola. When I was a kid, he told me, that the pilot who shot him down, stopped firering at his plane, when he lowered his langing gear as a sign of surrender. This friendly pilot visited him later in the POW-Camp and they shok hands. They exchanged their pilot scarfs an my Dad had the blue scarf for many years. He never forgot this british gentleman pilot for sparing out him and his crew. He was very happy to survive the war and always said, that he loved to fly, but hated the war. And now we are facing a new world war! What a stupid thing! (Little remarks: the Dad of my best Friend flew a Mosquito as a marker for bomb runs and the father of another good friend flew as a bombadier (?) in a Lancaster. Life is sometimes somehow very strange...)

[@tango6nf477]

What a stupid and wasteful thing is war

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

1 of my best friends is an elderly German Expat. Among the mementos from his father's Wartime Service (both First and Second) is an aerial photo looking straight down on St Pauls in London - taken from a Gotha bomber in 1917. Also some interesting photos over Ost Prussia and at a training field near Pillau.

[@begbieyabass]

Awesome video and research Bonny lad.. Bravo. My Grandfather was a Captain In charge of one of the island Gun battery's (Inchmickery I think) This was my play ground every summer Hols, we used to camp on Cramond Island . It had 2 naval guns on each end of the island facing towards the Forth entrance, it also had many flak machine guns. All the islands had direct communication with each other. We used to find live bullets and throw them into the camp fire...oh how stupid we were. Cramond island is The real Treasure Island. Robert Louie Stevenson wrote the book whilst staying at the old Cramond inn with a view onto the Forth islands. My Dad was a lighthouse keeper on the Bass Rock.

[@BD-bditw]

Stories like yours are always so welcome to back up these uploads, and historically it is so important to record them; every bit helps in forming a picture of events. The bullets in the campfire were just another form of Russian Roulette but far more exciting.

[@andrewmorton9327]

My father was in charge of a searchlight battery on Inchkeith and witnessed the raid.

[@billsinclair6515]

My family live in Kirkcaldy up the coast from the Bridge, my grandfather George Taylor witnessed parts of this event and told me about when I was a lad, he would have been 24 and was a reservist in the Cameron Highlanders

[@regt5355]

My Grandad, Henry Edward Smith was serving on Edinburgh and was one of the 44 injured suffering a shrapnel wound to his chest and shoulder. He never ever spoke of this day.

[@smokejaguar67]

My father was strafed in Edinburgh (or Berwick Upon Tweed) by a Messerschmitt Bf 109 while playing in the street at around three or four years old. He remembered the rounds impacting in multiple lines on either side of him. He was lucky-the plane was flying so low that its convergence was off, which ultimately saved his life. Though he suffered minor injuries from the ground being torn up, he was otherwise unscathed.

[@briggsquantum]

Another great video, really well presented. My brother-in-law lives in North Berwick, and when I visited him there I travelled through many of the places mentioned, including stopping at East Fortune airfield and the excellent museum. I studied the engineering of the Forth Bridge years ago, and standing under it on the south side was an amazing experience. I look forward to more of your videos!

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks very much. I know what you mean about the Forth Bridge. When I was stationed at RAF Leuchars in the 90s I would travel across it quite regularly. Awesome structure.

[@FKNANGRYBRIT]

The old RAF station at East Fortune is well worth a visit today with its old buildings and pictures of the WW2 planes and life. There is one of the concordes, vulcan bomber and many others

[@urmom1144]

great place innit

[@samuraifool912]

Great Story. My Dad a Royal Marine. Had just arrived up in Scotland on his way to Scapa. When all this went on. Fresh out of Basic Training and heading for his first Posting. He then realised that Even up and Away from his London home. He was still going to see Some Action. When he first got news of his Posting. His Dad had Said "You Will be Safe as Houses up there, Boy..!!" He was just 19yrs old. Whilst up in Scotland, he Loved the People, Country & life. ( Apart from this Little thing with Hitler, it would've be perfect..!) Great Story and Godbless all who Served for the UK. & Allies. And Even though they were Wrong the German Crews Deserve respect for their Bravery. However misguided..!! Lest we Forget..!! Cheers kim in Oz.😎

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Hi Kim, thanks for the interesting story about your Dad. Like I said at the start of the video, the Scots would not have expected to be straight into the action. I was posted to RAF Leuchars in the 90s and agree that its a beautiful country to be based for your service.

[@fantasyfleet]

Another great episode, i remember my grandmother recalling this battle she was only 6 at the time and arched from Arthur’s Seat.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you

[@DraftySatyr]

Thank you, I really enjoyed that. Well researched and exceptionally well presented, with just the right pace of delivery to draw the viewer in without resorting to the overly dramatic or even melodramatic delivery of some of your erstwhile colleagues.

[@queensferryhistorygroup1437]

Great story, glad to see the true story come out! So many still think the Rail Bridge was targetted but that was not the case! Well done.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@kaidonaldson117]

@@TheNorthernHistorian i live in inverkeithing

[@marvwatkins7029]

You got one over Mark Felton! Hard to do.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

I'll take that as high praise! He has an excellent channel. Thanks!

[@Lord.Kiltridge]

Spitfire Mk I, had a wooden two blade propeller. All later models had three, (or more) propeller blades. Don't blame the author for having ahistorical pics though. All surviving Spitfire Mk I had swapped out their props for Hamilton-Standard constant speed (three bladed) propellers by the summer of 1940. Photos of pre-conversion Spits are rare.

[@irnbrukidsm]

Absolutely excellent video. Full of relevant and detailed factual information. Extremely well narrated

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Much appreciated!

[@eckyhen]

My mother spoke of people in the streets in Edinburgh cheering and waving at the planes. They thought it was an exercise until live bullets started falling on the pavements

[@amadeusendymion1272]

I'll have a Bells since you're up.

[@eckyhen]

So what is your point?

[@Niinsa62]

Never heard of this early attack. I thought it started with attacks on shipping in the Channel, and moved inland from there. Great video! Thanks a lot!

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

You're welcome. Thanks for the comment

[@yutub6928]

Dear Northern, many thanks for your videos and the amount of information on them. Something I have noticed on this episode is that the great majority of comments are about/from people’s experiences at the time, something not very common on channels of this sort. It also shows British resolve, determination and sacrifice, as the lady mentioned in one if the comments that she had to wear a wig after working at Vickers during the war. Regards and respect from Mexico.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks for the comment. I do enjoy it when I get comments left from people who have either 1st hand experience themselves or close relatives, grandparents.

[@derekheeps8012]

you mean Scottish resolve , determination and sacrifice since it was in Scotland , not England .

[@CountScarlioni]

Good grief, imagine having been a passenger on that train over the Forth, only to see a bunch of German bombers barrelling towards you. Absolutely terrifying. Bet the engine driver had that regulator wide open! Go to say, this channel just goes from strength to strength. I'm really impressed by how high the production standards are getting as well as the general quality of the research.

[@rodgeyd6728]

Imagine if it was now, the driver would stop to video it on his phone and it would be on KZbin in 5 minute's 🤔

[@Frserthegreenengine]

@@rodgeyd6728 nah, the driver would have been fired for that, even for today, phones are strictly forbidden in the drivers cab as even the smallest distraction could have potential fatal consequences, not just for himself, but also for the hundreds of passengers who's lives are at his responsibility or the lives of others outside the train.. That and it's also not recommended for trains to stop on the Forth Bridge (or any bridge).

[@rodevans602]

Fine research, excellent commentary and visuals. Thank you; I’ve subscribed.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks

[@craighenry5315]

George Pinkerton was a friend of my Dad's having been a Scottish Speedway Poineer having raced at motorcycle tracks in the later 1920's and early 30's, dad is a speedway historian and has written a number of books detailing the exploits of guys like George and his brother Jimmy who also raced

[@RevGary]

His nephew is a good friend of mine here in Glasgow suburbs he told me the story about 18 years ago. The family owned much of the farm land about here Rhubarb was the crop.

[@lubtp7133]

Another great video. Production quality always makes me double check the you don't have more subscribers (yet!).

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

The subs are building.....thanks for your kind comment.

[@paullacey2999]

Fantastic Video👏👏👏Out in the Forth,Incolm Island has former gun placemants too.Take the ferry ,well worth seeing!

[@andrewadams9948]

Fantastic video. My great grandad and my great uncle both fought in the war but not in the RAF. It's nice to hear RAF Leuchars mentioned as my grandad did his national service there in the 50's. He's 92 now and still mentions his national service as some of the most proud days of his life.

[@hazbojangles2681]

my great uncle was a Sergeant in the RAF during the war and engaged the Luftwaffe several times over the UK

[@samrodian919]

A very well researched and presented video. Well done mate ! It was a pleasure to watch such a detailed and well put together package of information I had never before heard of. Please keep them coming as they are very well worth watching.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dennisleslie8962]

You call Spits with 5-bladed props in 1939 "well researched ?" I call you very ignorant.

[@Keyswiz71]

Excellent video! As a former member of the Royal Observer Corps I thank you for not forgetting the vital work of the Observer Corps. Just a small correction, we were not yet "Royal" in 1939; that honour would be bestowed upon the Observer Corps by King George VI on 9th April 1941 for their service during the Battle of Britain.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks Justyn, glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the correction also, I was unaware of that.

[@janoginski5557]

Interesting narrative but I believe you have missed something. My Mum witnessed this. They had several farms at that time the property of the Admiralty. The farms run from Castlelandhill to the Hilton the latter’s land ran down to the Dockyard. The German bombers did sink a ship/boat it was the Admirals Barge. That’s on good authority, my Grandad was friendly with the Admiral, there were several other incidents, incendiaries were dropped very close to the Hilton Farm House, and there were several sightings of German reconnaissance planes flying very low over the Farm, probably Storks? There is a mad irony in this as my Mums side of the family had German ancestry. QI.

[@davidparry1982]

Watching this while looking out over the Forth from Leith - a historic moment well told, Thank you

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@columbaiona3081]

Well done ! You kept it short sharp & to the point!

[@iainmalcolm9583]

Great video. For additional information, RAF Turnhouse is now Edinburgh Airport. First used by the RFC in 1916

[@markwilkie3677]

I found this really interesting. I live on the shores of the Forth and was aware of this, but not to the level of detail you gave. Well done on a good informative production.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@andrewrobertson3952]

Love to see a video about Edinburgh, my hometown, and the RAF history, my obsession 😀thanks for making this!

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@raisagorbachov]

My late aunty was an anti-aircraft gunner at Newport. I do look at all these events with great sadness. All those young men killed in the primes of their lives. It doesn't matter which side - the human tragedy was horrible.

[@vagabondslotmachine]

This was fantastic!

[@Dackah]

Really good documentary and excellent attention to detail from a pilots perspective. I had no idea the Ju 88's came in at such a high altitude--I knew they were fast, - maybe you could include the aircraft's maximum speeds as some extra detai? -but a really enjoyable piece of history that I was aware of, but not in such fine detail. Also, very much appreciated the overview of the pictures of Glasgow airport where I have spent a lot of time.

[@georgetait9831]

A most interesting presentation. Your descriptions brought me back to my homeland in the Scottish Borders and my father’s description of a similar raid which he witnessed from Edinburgh.

[@Bruce-1956]

Having lived near the Forth Bridge for 24 years up until 1980 I knew about this. There is no such thing as 'the Forth Rail Bridge' it's just the Forth Bridge.

[@reb0118]

What happened to the other three?....🤔

[@Bruce-1956]

@reb0118 I don't understand your comment.

[@gargk999]

@@Bruce-1956 It's a pun on the words fourth/Forth. :)

[@markrichards9327]

@@reb0118I got your joke immediately lol,did you know though,there is actually another 3 bridges spanning the river Forth!

[@markrichards9327]

I still catch crabs & lobsters under this bridge to this day,nowt to do with this story but my love for the bridge forced me to comment lol.

[@marklandon9058]

Another excellent documentary, lucid and informative. Thank you!

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@amphilbey]

Never knew this before, thanks for telling this story.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

You're welcome!

[@gmac7947]

I live in this area today,amazing what our lads and lassies have done for our existence ❤ brilliant work 😮

[@darrenmichie4939]

My late aunty from Queensferry told my father she could render this ,and recalled the noise from the bombs on that day .And down river across from Rosyth. Was port Charlotte ,where my grandfather left on the minesweepers for to begin the operations in the Artic convoys.lot of history here ,and thank you for this video .

[@armstronggermany2995]

My great aunt lived at that time during the war in Beamer Cottage , right under the Forth Bridge in North Queensferry. My mum, dad and grandfather all worked at Rosyth naval base. They stayed in Queensferry road in Inverkeithing and later when I was born in Brock Street , N. Queensferry.

[@JamesVaughan1982]

My great gran was one of the Wrens who manned the big battery guns on top of the hill on North Queensferry protecting the Forth Rail Bridge. :-)

[@lyndondowling2733]

Another well-researched and presented piece of our history.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you!

[@thisisnumber0]

Except for the pic of a wrong mark Spitfire. Tut..😊

[@richardsymonds5159]

My Mother's First Cousin Pilot Officer Ellis Walter Aries was at Drem with 602 Squadron before they were moved south for the second half of the Battle of Britain to Westhampnett the site of the now Goodwood Motor Racing circuit

[@stevejauncey3086]

You must be very proud of him.

[@Trek001]

The comment about the Germans being handed over to the police reminds me of the tale where an ME110 crew was shot down, arrested by a local policeman and taken to the station and charged with criminal damage and mischief.

[@divexplore21]

Very interesting. I’ve lived on the Firth of Forth all my life, great to learn some history. 👍

[@Wolfsschanze99]

Great vid, Thanks for the hard work.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

You're very welcome.

[@BatMan-xr8gg]

Good to see your subs growing. Keep up the good work, your videos are getting as good as Dr. Mark Felton's. So glad I subscribed. And another excellent video and excellent description with out the BS music and crap involved.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks very much. Always humbling to be compared to Dr Felton.

[@auldfouter8661]

My grandfather was thatching stacks at his farm just outside Grangemouth ( a little bit further up the Forth from the rail bridge ) and saw planes around the rail bridge. At the time he thought it was some kind of training exercise but learned later it was deadly serious.

[@Bruce-1956]

You mean Forth Bridge no rail about it.

[@auldfouter8661]

@@Bruce-1956 I know that but others might not. I watched the road bridge being built.

[@Bruce-1956]

@auldfouter8661 so did I. We had a day off school to watch it being opened.

[@Calcearius]

My grandmother witnessed the shot down bomber. I remember her telling me about this story and telling me about the spitfire chasing it through the Pentland hills. She was so proud of that moment as she used to work on the avionic components of the spitfires.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

I'm a former avionics engineer on Tornado F3. I'd have loved a good conversation with your Grandmother, I expect it would have been fascinating!

[@curiousuranus810]

Thank you to your gran.

[@ronwaugh1980]

Reference to Niall paddens comments about HMS Hood , the hood was not Britain’s newest ship having been built in 1916 and launched in 1920 She was however the pride of the Royal Navy as a battle cruiser , Her weakness was that she had a wooden deck , which was her Downfall in the battle of the Denmark strait . Bismarck’s superior firepower Hit the wooden decks and hit the magazine which blew her basically in half And she sank very quickly , however 3 days later Bismarck was hunted down and destroyed With the loss of 2000 men .

[@donaldpaterson5827]

My father a policeman with the then Ayrshire Constabulary was on his way to Edinburgh to return a prisoner to Ayr, when the traffic on the Kincardine Bridge was strafed. The car immediately in front of him had a bullet through the roof. No one was injured.

[@simonstock4448]

Excellent video - fascinating. I’ve actually been to Westerland which was the most northern airfield in Germany, and the closest to Scotland.

[@TheColonelSponsz]

Threre was a lot of detail there and very well presented, thanks.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@geordiedog1749]

Brilliant video. They get better every time. You really sound like you’re enjoying yourself and it comes across and is infectious:). First enemy plane shot down by a Spitfire. But…. Not the first kill. That was, alas, a Hurricane in the Thames estuary. Now, there’s a potential story. It was all a bit controversial if memory serves. Well, all blue in blues are but some more than others. It seems odd that the navy vessels weren’t stood to for the attack and seemed lacklustre in their AA response. If I’d have been on the train crossing the bridge I’d have been screaming “stop! I want to watch what happens!” (‘Cos I’m an idiot).

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks Richard. I am now starting to get into the swing of it and I'm getting confidence in my abilities. I think that this raid so early in the war may in hindsight have been an important wake up call for British defences, not just Naval defences. I also thought the Air Force response was poor considering the numerical advantage they had. What is this hurricane tale you are referring to??

[@geordiedog1749]

@@TheNorthernHistorian Well, I did think that too in as much as the interceptions seemed to have an element of guess work and I think you’re spot on in that they were clearly just learning how it all tied together. As for the ‘1st Spit. kill’ it was another instance of ‘on the job learning’ for fighter direction but with a sad outcome. I think the controversy came from the lack of action taken against the offending pilot. If memory serves he did go on to ‘bag a few Jerries’ later in the war though. He was ??? SA although I could be wrong.

[@DazDaMan]

The incident with the Hurricane was known as the "Battle of Barking Creek". One of the pilots involved was the famed Adolph "Sailor" Malan. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Barking_Creek

[@geordiedog1749]

@@DazDaMan Ah Ha! This man know!! Hurrah:) Cheers for that. I had it in my head he was called Adolf.

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

YT has only just "recommended" this video to me, but its a godsend. I've spent the last few years arguing with nazi sympathisers who insist that Britain dropped the first bombs on the enemy's territory and civilians in WW2. While I'm aware of RAF Bomber Command's early daylight raids on German naval units in the "Jade" estuary off Wilhelmshaven and other North Sea shipping areas, the fact is that they were carried on out naval units at sea AND in broad daylight so as to avoid collateral damage of bombing ships in German ports and to avoid the hitting of neutral shipping in the target sea areas. From my own research the course of events appears to be as such.... First German bombs dropped on the British mainland? 16th October 1939 saw the very first bombs dropped on Britain when the Germans launched scattered air attacks over port and industrial facilities around the Scottish city of Edinburgh, and the RN naval base at Rosyth. First bombs dropped by the RAF on German soil? Although the RAF had launched bomber attacks on Kriegsmarine naval units in the North sea from Sept 3rd 1939 onwards, it was actually the 19th March 1940 that the FIRST RAF bombs landed on German soil... When on 13th November 1939 the luftwaffe bombed RAF Sullom Voe a seaplane base with port facilities in the Shetland Isles (with the resultant death of a rabbit, and no hits on the 9 seaplanes or 2 RN vessels stationed there), the RAF retaliated by hitting the nazi seaplane base at Hörnum on the island of Sylt in the North Sea. These were THE VERY FIRST RAF bombs to land on German soil....5 months AFTER the first German bombs had landed on British soil. The first British or German civilian casualty caused by the bombing of the opposing side during WW2? 16th March 1940 when German bombs hit the village of "Bridge of Waithe" near Stenness on the Orkney Islands during an attack on the Home Fleet anchorage at Scapa Flow, which killed a 27 year-old County Council employee, James Isbister (luckily, his wife, baby son, and the neighbour James was endeavouring to rescue from her bombed cottage all survived). First British bombs to drop on the actual German mainland? 11th May 1940, when the British air ministry for the first time allowed the bombing of railway yards, communication centres and bridges west of the Rhine River to interrupt German supply lines supporting their undeclared assault into the NEUTRAL Low countries and France on 10th May 1940. Previous to this date the British air ministry in an effort to stop the inflaming of the conflict had refused to allow the RAF to drop ANY bombs on the German mainland, instead the RAF supplied the German demand for toilet paper by dropping propaganda leaflets on German cities. The RAF attacks on 11th May 1940 had also come after REPEATED attacks against RN installations on the British mainland, most notably at Rosyth near Edinburgh, Cromarty Firth & Scapa Flow all in Scotland throughout the winter of 1939/40. First British bombs dropped EAST of the Rhine River? On the night of 23/24th August 1940 the RAF launched an attack on Berlin. This attack directed at the Klingenberg Power Station in Eastern Berlin & Templehof airport was in RETALIATION for REPEATED luftwaffe raids on RAF Fighter Command Sector Airfields within the suburbs of Greater London throughout July and August 1940 that had already caused HUNDREDS of innocent British civilian deaths & casualties (euphemistically known nowadays as "collateral damage") this was inspite of Hitler's previous decrees that no bombs should be dropped within the boundary of Greater London. Obviously that decree had never reached the ears of Herman Goering. German retaliation for the one night of bombing of Berlin on 23/24th August 1940? The launching of the all out assault against British cities from 7th Sept 1940 onwards, culminating in the world's first attempt to create a "firestorm" during operation "moonlight sonata" on the British city of Coventry on the night of 14/15th Nov 1940, where the luftwaffe sent 575 bombers using their world beating "X-gerat" bombing system (in the Germans own words capable of placing "target indicator" flares with an accuracy of 50 meters at 200 miles range) over the civilian city centre of Coventry dropping 550 tons of high explosive (including hundreds of "flammen" (oil) bombs) followed by over 30,000 incendiary bombs. The final death toll of that single raid? A previously unheard of 568 innocent civilians, this was in addition to the thousands of other British civilians already killed & injured in other cities across Britain over the previous 2 months. The first British bombing raid directly targetted at German civilians? "Operation Abigail" on the night of 16/17th December 1940, (3 months AFTER the opening of the nazi "blitz" on British cities) the Dec 16th attack by the RAF was launched against the German city of Mannheim where 100 RAF bombers dropped 100 tons of HE and 14,000 incendiaries inflicting a death toll on the German population of 34 dead and 81 injured. Not to worry though , the RAF eventually "upped its game" and showed the Germans how to do it properly a year or two later. Thank you for this very interesting video. Subscribed .

[@MajorT0m]

Just come back from a trip to Edinburgh and we visited this exact area! Great video, nice one!

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Super awesome research...On the spot...Excellent video...Thanks very much...!

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you liked it!

[@senoritoburrito2224]

currently researching for a scotland-based ww2 era fiction novel and this is so helpful! even though the book won't have first-person accounts of events like this, its good to know what would have really been happening at the time! My gran, before she died in 2020, would tell me so many stories of growing up in Glasgow during the war, so the book is a fictional version of her life and all her stories

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you find it of some use. Good luck with your novel.

[@senoritoburrito2224]

@@TheNorthernHistorian thanks!

[@MorristheMinor]

Just a quick point, RAF Turnhouse is now Edinburgh Airport. My family have being going their holidays to Eyemouth since 1936 and one story I remember hearing as this - just before the war a grocer's van was stopped going across Coldingham Moor. A rumour got up locally that this was the RAF testing the 'death ray' which could bring down enemy bombers. This was, in fact, a test of the radar. Suggestion for future video, what about the Zeppelin raids on Edinburgh and Chirnside?

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Hi Andrew. To be honest, I'm surprised I didn't include the Turnhouse/Edinburgh airport connection. I'm very familiar with from my time in the RAF. Also thanks for the tip on the zeppelin raids, I'll take a closer look at them.

[@MorristheMinor]

@@TheNorthernHistorian Speaking of Turnhouse, back in the 60s my late father remembered that when Edinburgh Airport was being resurfaced and extended, you had to be careful on the A1 at Haddington, as East Fortune, the home of the R34, was being used for Edinburgh flights. You could get a fright with a Vickers Viscount or Vanguard passing over your Hillman Minx at zero feet! Actually, I remember seeing an old postcard from the Great War showing a damaged Royal Navy blimp on Coldingham Beach, never found out the story behind that.

[@MeHere-i1o]

The first mainland casualty of war was a dog in Alma Street Inverkeithing (hit by shrapnel from Dalmeney battery) with a woman having a lump of shrapnel land in the pocket of her pinny as she hung out washing. First reported by Tom Weir.

[@johnboyle98]

Good channel Northern Historian! I have subscribed in the hope of watching more. Thank you.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Awesome, thanks John.

[@hairyneil]

A while ago i found a .303 shell casing on the beach along the Forth, i like to think this is how it got there

[@thekenneth3486]

I had no idea that the Battle of Britain essentially started over Scotland. How amazing!

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

It is indeed a little known fact. It's true to say that this raid would have been present in the minds of the planners who were expecting the imminent Battle of Britain.

[@cheekarp2180]

2nd video I have seen of yours, very good quality and information. You deserve way more subs. Find some War Thunder youtubers to give you a mention.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you

[@PerthMRC]

Very interesting video. Was surprised to learn many years ago that the first WW2 air-raid on the UK was on the Forth. This video includes a lot of interesting detail. I guess with Scapa Flow and Rosyth playing such major roles in WW1 maybe the Germans wanted to neutralise the Royal Navy at least Rosyth. Thanks for uploading.

[@DouglasThomson-pl6sl]

602 Sdrn pilot Archie McKellar would go on to be the highest scoring ace during the Battle of Britain. He was killed in action shortly after it was declared over and somewhat controversially his name is not recorded on it's memorial. His grave is a mile from my house.

[@rha4374]

Where is this brave man's resting place! I lived in Drem . Another story of wartime, my father was using motorcycle and watched pow,s at Drem, a few years ago and old man from England up on holiday was also stationed at Drem and whilst awaiting main line train back to England he said he was trying to find "jock" A. whom he was friends with during war, low and behold I told him he was my Dad and just passed recently. And before I could explain anything the bloody train arrives on time for once and off he went a tad happier. What a coincidence that was.

[@keithlillis7962]

Mr McKellar may have been the highest scoring Brit, but the overall highest score of 17 was by a Czech pilot. The second highest score of 15 was by a Polish pilot. Both flew with the Polish 303 squadron. At the end of WW2. the Polish 303 squadron were not allowed to participate in the victory parade in London - A travesty.

[@RedcoatsReturn]

Excellent research and extremely well presented! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏😊😊👍👍

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you kindly!

[@PortmanRd]

Fantastic video mate. A big thumbs up.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks a lot!

[@PortmanRd]

@@TheNorthernHistorian My Dad (now deceased) remembered as a kid a British bomber crash landing in Suffolk and Americans from a nearby airbase coming to the rescue. He even remembered the wounded 1st officer asking about the welfare of his co-pilot who unfortunately died of his injuries.

[@beacon_models]

Fascinating video!! Had no idea this was the first aerial engagement over Britain!

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JanetTurner-u3f]

I have never heard of this, thanks for sharing. Doyou have anything as to what happened in Aberdeen?

[@peterka4440]

My dad remembers this. He and his brother were at the seafront at Cramond, throwing stones at the Luftwaffe planes (he was 4 at the time...)

[@rodgeyd6728]

Its great seeing photos of Bamburgh Castle on the Northumberland coast and the Eildon Hills in the borders taken from Scots View, brings it home really as too how far the Germans bombed into the UK. My father was 7 in 1939 and lived in Cottingham just outside Hull, remembers the heavy raids on the docks. Very informative video 👍

[@Buddieboy1957]

I came across this today. I met two women and a man who watched this dogfight when they were 10 years old. They said one of the German aircraft flew at rooftop height over Bo'ness during the battle

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

It all seems so far in the past now, but glad to know there are still those around who remember. Oddly we once spent Christmas day at the home of a local expat Spanish Basque family. The still very compos 92-year old grandmother had survived the bombing of Guernica.

[@FireBlade9773]

Very interesting thanks 👍

[@richardbradley2335]

Heinkel 111.... a beautiful aircraft....Hundreds of brave woman and men died in the Battle of Britain so i can say that....Always Remembered

[@thisisnumber0]

Your Heinkel 111 is a Ju88😊

[@richardbradley2335]

@@thisisnumber0 Not the 111 i saw !....but i do love the Ju88 though..

[@richardbradley2335]

@@thisisnumber0 5.20...This is fun !

[@rustyrover3808]

Excellent very well told 👍

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks

[@barryporteous4904]

Very well presented. Thank you

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

You are welcome!

[@barryporteous4904]

An old friend of mine was with 609 Squadron based at Drem a little later than your story. He talked about Drem a lot. He was then transferred to 249 Squadron at North Weald. Very interesting to hear his stories..... and yours!!

[@Zooumberg]

I'm assuming you're a Geordie (as I am) can you do a video on the bombing of the Central Station? My mother was there and she told me she remembered running away from the carnage. Although doing my own research I could only find the bombing of Newbridge Street goods station.

[@ianallan8005]

I’ve never heard of Newcastle Central Station being bombed, but I do know the Manors goods station was hit hard, as were Wallsend and Walker. My Grandad was a labourer in Vickers Scotswood factory and he told me of a German Bomber flying down the Tyne and dropping bombs in the river, presumably trying to hit either the road or rail bridges, or the ammunition factory at Dunstanhaugh or the Vickers factory which at half a mile wide by three miles long, must have presented a small target

[@Zooumberg]

@@ianallan8005 My mates mother and father were machinists at Vickers. She was actually scalped by the machine and had to wear a wig all her life.

[@derekheeps8012]

There's no Central station in Edinburgh ( Central station is in Glasgow ) , and Newbridge never had a station , although there was a canal stop at Ratho .

[@davidhill5684]

Great coverage. I was expecting some mention of the islands in the Forth which I believe still have concrete buildings on them, as simulation of battleships (quite convincing seen through the typical fog). As a boy I did wonder about these empty structures, until told what they were for. But I suppose they would have been a later addition?

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you

[@iainmalcolm9583]

The island you are thinking about is Inchmickery (Just google it to see various pictures). I don't believe they were trying to make it look like a battleship but it was fortified. Many of the islands were also fortified and there is a ancient Abbey on Inchcolm which can be visited by ferry.

[@markwilkie3677]

@@iainmalcolm9583 I`m a Fifer and would agree with that. The silhouette from certain angles does look uncannily like a battleship though.

[@iainmalcolm9583]

@@markwilkie3677 I'm from Edinburgh. It does look like a ship but I'm sure that was accidental as the various buildings were not all built at the same time.

[@markwilkie3677]

@@iainmalcolm9583 I agree with you that its accidental Iain.

[@HankD13]

Wonderful piece of history, very well told. Brilliant.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@LBG-cf8gu]

fairly new sub here. excellent! thanks for the upload

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks for subbing, cheers.

[@Brodrick32]

Excellent quality video and script, earned yourself a sub, look forward to more content

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Much appreciated!

[@sharpfocus5]

Excellent - incredibly interesting and well told.

[@Gorbyrev]

Brilliant account. Sending this to my son who's a gunner with 603 Squadron.

[@Andyww08]

Gunner are you sure about that

[@Gorbyrev]

@@Andyww08 He's a gunner with 603 Squadron who are now made up of reservists for the RAF Regiment. Yes I'm sure.

[@Andyww08]

@@Gorbyrev 603 a Spifire sqaudron, so no gunners, unless you are talking about Anti Aircraft

[@Gorbyrev]

@Andyww08 603 was a Spitfire Squadron, the City of Edinburgh Squadron who also fought in the Battle of Britain. During the WWII Winston Churchill saw the need for force protection and encouraged the founding of the RAF Regiment, soldiers whose primary responsibility is yo protect airfields and air assets whilst projecting military strength into the area around those bases. Nicknamed "Rock Apes" their strength is made up of a number of squadrons, some fulltime some reservists. 603 Squadron is now made up of reservists who are part of the RAF Regiment. Their soldiers are known as gunners.

[@tango6nf477]

@@Gorbyrev Well said sadly there are always people ready to argue

[@fabianwylie8707]

I have to say is that Ant Dec doing their story telling 👍🙌. What a amazing stat to the Battle of Britain

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

It's a sideline away from Saturday Night Takeaway.

[@marvwatkins7029]

I never heard of this. Quite a historically significant tale. And well told too. Exciting!

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@tomjustis7237]

So the first Luftwaffe attack against Britain was met by "weekend warrior" reservists of RAF Auxiliary units rather than by the full time professionals of the regular RAF squadrons. That alone is a small piece of history worth remembering! BTW, thanks for another great and informative episode. Even as a life long history buff I knew nothing about this.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

They were indeed the weekend warriors, Tom. Over the course of the war they certainly earned their respect. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@vicsaul5459]

Never knew about this first 'Air Battle of WW2'

[@paulflak2823]

You presentation and knowledge shows you stellar research and better then 90% of other channels run by high school drop outs.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks. I do try to be as accurate as I can. I will make mistakes from time to time but that's the nature of the game I guess.

[@colineaston6305]

My grandmother lived in Portobello and showed us shells from the aircraft involved but she was never sure if they were British shells or German. The graves of those killed are in the cemetery near Joppa though this is usually referred to as Portobello cemetery.

[@foxtrotromeo25]

Excellent video. Perfectly paced.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@foxtrotromeo25]

I found your channel recently. I'm a big military history buff, and I subscribed after watching one video. Loving your work. Top notch!

[@andrewmcphee8965]

Really interesting video, thanks very much! Now subscribed.

[@charliehogg1639]

I live there and all the fortifications and bunkers are all still there, bricked up and empty but still there. Some islands were completely made into just massive AA bunkers you can sail out to and explore

[@andrewmorton9327]

My father’s searchlight battery was on Inchkeith. He was a member of City of Edinburgh (Fortress) Royal Engineers whose main task was to man the Firth of Forth defences.

[@charliehogg1639]

It may of been another attack but when a Heinkel was shot down, my great uncle stole a bit of glass from the the cockpit, nothing big just the square glass at the very front. He then wrote merry Christmas on for a decoration which we still have and use today Also I think this is one of the first video I have seen of some one pronouncing roysth correctly. They always call it row-siv

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Yes, Heinkels returned on 28th October 39. That attack is often confused with this one but it was separate. Quite a keepsake for your Great Uncle and superb he still has it. I'm from NE England but lived 4 years in Scotland as part of my RAF service so I know many local pronunciations such as Rosyth. Thanks for the comments.

[@megamanmuppet]

@@TheNorthernHistorian my dad (now 95!) witnessed this one. It would be great if you were planning to do another video on it. Cheers, Jim from Melbourne, Australia.