How did the RAF Attack Hitler's Shipyard? - RAF's First Strike

September 4th, 1939, The Royal Air Force is about to carry out its first offensive strike against the German war machine using 15 Bristol Blenheim bombers. Acting on reconnaissance from the previous day, two prime targets have been identified at the port of Wilhelmshaven. German cruiser Emden and the heavy cruiser Admiral Scheer. This mission will see the first bombs dropped against Germany in ww2
This is the 2nd part of the story of the RAF's first bombing raid in German territory of the war.
PART 1
• Uncovering the RAF's F...
The first bombing raid by the RAF against German targets in World War 2 took part on the 4th September 1939. Three squadrons, 107 Squadron, 110 Squadron and 139 Squadron of Bristol Blenheim Mk IV bombers left RAF Wyton and RAF Wattisham bound for the strategic port of Wilhelmshaven in Northern Germany, on the Jade Bight.
The previous reconnaissance mission had discovered Light Cruiser Emden and Pocket Battleship Cruiser Admiral Scheer at anchor.
The mission was to bomb and destroy them.
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[@iainmalcolm9583]

Excellent 'part 2' to this story. What a strange coincidence that a pilot called Emden not only was on the raid but was killed crashing into the Cruiser Emden. They must have known before the raid that the ship Emden was one of the targets. Wonder if there was any jokes made between the crews at the briefings.

[@ronti2492]

Another excellent video NH, thank you! Interesting junction of history with the Emden. The WW1 Emden was pounded to scrap by HMAS Sydney 1 off the Cocos Islands in 1914. Not so lucky was the HMAS Sydney 2 in WW2, which sank with all lives in 1941. But it was not sunk by a ship named 'Emden' I hasten to add!

[@dunruden9720]

HMAS Sydney, NOT THE HMAS Sydney,

[@asullivan4047]

Interesting and informative. Excellent photography/map job enabling viewers to better understand what/whom the orator is describing. Special thanks to veteran pilots/crews sharing personal information/combat experiences. Enabling historians to replicate those diaries/memoirs for future generations to appreciate the hard ships suffered by ( RAF ) pilots & crews. To prevent the German invasion of Britain. Operation ( Sea lion )

[@mycroft1905]

Very interesting vid, as usual. Later, there was a plan to attack Wilhelmshaven with Fleet Air Arm Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers. Fortunately, this never eventuated, as losses might have been even worse than those outlined here. The Swordfish instead mounted night missions to mine the Jade estuary.

[@philprice6993]

Well presented ^ narrated.plesent change on here,you Sir have more than earned my loyalty.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you very much

[@geordiedog1749]

Great stuff. I knew nothing about this attack which is pretty slack on my part. Keep ‘em coming; Bonny lad:)

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

I'll keep them coming kidda!

[@kiwifruit27]

Love the content and the accent. Well done on another interesting video

[@mtbkasper2404]

I literly live in Wilhelmshaven i stumpled across this video i see the Rathaus (town „hall“?) from my window

[@Spitfiresammons]

Excellent history please do history of Blenheim fighters

[@Farweasel]

Grand Story well told - Thanks

[@Travain96]

Hey its my home city pog

[@__40su]

Thank you!!!

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

You're welcome!

[@geordiedog1749]

Blenheim bombers always seemed to have suffered very badly when they fought.

[@tomsmith2209]

Thanks for this, very interesting. Seems like a waste of life and machine, but I wonder how much training they had at this point in the war.

[@nickdanger3802]

As I understand it. Fuses were a problem for the first half of the war.

[@tonyb8660]

why do I crave the fresh scent of Irish Spring?...

[@rob5944]

The bombs didn't sound much cop, although the bravery of the crews is beyond question. I wonder if anti-torpedo nets had been deployed around the ships? Still I guess both sides were on a learning curve early in the war (especially us)!

[@normann4016]

strange that the RAF Air Command did not think to load the Belenheims with torpedos..which were preferable for better accuracy...

[@scottessery100]

Was that a loss ratio of about 40% ? Raf bomber command wasn’t very healthy for young men

[@grahamwilson5835]

Was this Raid also known as the "KielCanal" Raid ?

[@raymondyee2008]

Ah yes the Blenheim bomber. Can’t compare with the heavy bombers like the Lancaster but RAF Bomber Command had to start somewhere.

[@guayaquilander]

Nice video buddy. Terrible for the RAF, they couldn't do much against parked ships, yet the Japanese Betty's sank the repulse and prince of Wales in open water, certainly those British pilots lacked proper training.