On the morning of January 26, 1941 a Ju 88 Junkers bomber made to attack the poorly armed HM Trawler Galvani off Cromer.
The bomber, which came off worse in the engagement, crashed north of Yarmouth between West Somerton and Horsey just after 9am. The crew, remarkably unscathed despite the burnt out shell of a cockpit, were apprehended in their dingy as they attempted to make their way into the North Sea by two unarmed locals, Mr H Thain, a local shopkeeper, and Mr R Sadler. The pilot was reported to have said “We are in good old England at last. It is like coming home”.
The event, evidently the most exciting at sea that week, was reported as far away as Australia and Singapore as a David v Goliath success story.
I have a personal interest in this story as my grandfather served aboard Galvani.
I am researching this incident and am interested in the local reaction to the event.
If anyone recalls the incident, remembers their families mentioning it, knows where it occurred or has any photographs of the downed aircraft please could they get in touch via my e-mail jfarrimond78@gmail.com
JAMES FARRIMOND
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