The Knickebein Beam or Nickobein Beam was a radio directional beam to direct German bombers over the Midlands.
In WW2 Germany used radio transmitters designed to intersect at the target for bombers typically in the Midlands and Coventry. The downside for Spalding was that it was on the route of one of these beams meaning that it was one of the last towns before the North Sea to be a target for any remaining bombs that had not been dropped by the Luftwaffe.
This was to result in two significant raids damaging the town on 12th May 1941 and 2nd August 1942.
The following are from police report of the time:
Report of Air Raid Incidents at Spalding on 12th May 1941
I respectfully beg to report that about 01.00 hours on Sunday 12th May 1941, a large number of incendiary bombs were dropped by enemy aircraft on the centre of Spalding. The Air Raid Warning siren had been sounded at 23.27 hours on the 11th May, 1941. A large number of bombs were extinguished by Fire Watchers, Civil Defence and Police services, but many fell into the top floors of high buildings, where they soon caused major fires. The Spalding Urban District Fire Brigade and Auxiliary Fire Services were soon at work, but the fires were so extensive that a call for assistance was sent. This was promptly answered by the Peterborough, Boston and Bourne Brigades, and all the fires were brought under control by about 08.00 hours. Firefighting parties from the 18th Bn. The Welsh Regiment also assisted.
About 02.45 hours a number of high explosive bombs were dropped near Welland Road, Stonegate, West Elloe Avenue, Spalding causing damage to houses. Some persons were injured, two being killed.
Certain roads in the town were closed to all vehicles except essential services, and at 06.00 hours an extended system of control was put into operation, with the assistance of two Sergeants and 24 men of the 80th Traffic Control Company. This continued in force until 13.00 hours, when normal traffic routes resumed.
The Post Office was evacuated at 02.30 hours owing to the danger from major fires in the immediate vicinity, and the only telephones then available were the private Police line and the Spalding Urban District Council’s private automatic system. The Post Office resumed normal working at 04.00 hours, the fires then being partly under control. The private Police line thus proved very valuable in maintaining communication, via Stamford Police Station.
All members of the regular Police who were off duty, including the two civilian clerks, immediately reported for duty and were employed throughout the night. The Special Constables worked exceedingly well, and several were prepared to continue duty throughout the day should it have been essential.
The details of damage are as follows:
MAJOR FIRE DAMAGE
The following premises were practically gutted:
Liberal Club and County Court Office, The Crescent (opposite the Sessions House)
Pennington & Son Ltd, corner of Sheep Market (carpet shop)
Pennington & Son Ltd. Hall Place including Managing Director’s house adjoining (the front portion was demolished as it was dangerous).
Harris & Son Jewellers, Hall Place
Freeman Hardy & Willis, shoe shop, Hall Place
Home & Colonial, provisions shop, Hall Place
J.W. Field, grocer, Market Place
Boots chemist Market Place
Woolworths, Bridge Street
Spalding Free Press Ltd, Hall Place (printing and jobbing department)
SERIOUSLY DAMAGED BY FIRE
Bayston, Sheep Market. Roofs and top floors.
Marchant, Sheep Market, Roofs and top floors.
Back premises of International Stores, roofs and upper floor.
London Central Meat Co. Hall Place, roofs and upper floor.
Hepworths Ltd. Roofs and upper floor.
Scotch Wool Stores, Market Place, roofs and upper floor.
Currys, Market Place, roofs and upper floor.
Freeman Hardy & Willis, Market Place, roofs and upper floor.
A.B. Woodcock, restaurant, Bridge Street, roof and upper floor.
Maypole Dairy Co, Bridge Street, roof and upper floor.
Higgs, tobacconist, Bridge Street, roof and upper floor.
Luck, Bridge Street, printer and newsagent, roof and upper floor.
Berrills Ltd, Double Street, roof and upper floor.
Lincoln Arms, London Road, roof and upper floors.
Pilkington, pork butcher, roof and upper floor.
Parker, sweet shop, roof and upper floor.
White Hart Hotel, Market Place, roof and back of premises.
West Elloe Printing Works, Vine Street.
SLIGHTLY DAMAGED
Brown, hairdresser, Bridge Street - roofs and windows
Sellars, confectioner, Bridge Street – roofs and windows
Black, butcher, Bridge Street – roofs and windows.
A number of roofs of other properties were slightly damaged by incendiary bombs which were extinguished by Fire Prevention Parties.
DAMAGE BY HIGH EXPLOSIVE BOMBS
Welland Road.
Crater in road (under repair), military building in Camp demolished, damage to sewage pumping station, 2 other bombs in allotments beside Spalding/Holbeach Railway line: shed and school pavilion, sewage main fractured and water main fractured.
Alexandra Road.
Bungalow occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Watson demolished.
Stonegate.
Six high explosive bombs caused damage to roofs, windows, etc of about 15 houses.[1]
Cuckoo Road,
Eleven high explosive bombs fell in potato, bulb and wheat fields.
West Elloe Avenue
Fractured water main
Pinchbeck Road
One high explosive bomb West of road near Spalding/Lincoln Railway line
Cowbit Road
Two high explosive bombs demolished the brewery outbuildings.
COMMENTS ON SERVICES ETC.
Spalding Fire Brigade and A.F.S. did good work, assisted by the Peterborough, Boston and Bourne Brigades. Without the assistance of the outside Brigades much greater damage must have been caused.
Officers N.C.O.’s and men of the 18th Bn. The Welsh Regiment, stationed in Spalding assisted by controlling spectators, removing furniture, etc. and providing runners.
In response to the Sub-Controller’s request, the Spalding United Services Canteen opened up with a full staff at 04.00 hours, and provided refreshment for fire, civil defence and military services.
The few people who were rendered homeless were billeted with friends, and the Rest Centres were not required.
The Town Surveyor is in control of a pool of all local builders who are repairing property, first attention being given to small cottage and house properties.
A store has been set up in the covered Poultry Market in the Sheep Market and ground floor of the Sessions House, Sheep Market for furniture.
The Food Executive Officers reports that the business of the Company shops will be carried on by other Company shops in the town under Mutual Assistance arrangements. The business of J.W.Field will be covered by his wholesalers, Messrs Hallam & Blackbourn. Alternative accommodation is secured by all grocers.
Of the dwelling houses in the town, one was demolished, eight badly damaged and about 250 slightly damaged.
I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, Superintendent.
This air raid received much publicity criticising it in the national press, but as was the practise at the time the actual town name of “Spalding” was not included and instead the description “A Peaceful Market Town in Eastern England” was used. The emphasis being that it was an attack on civilian targets with not a single military objective.
Air Raid 2nd August 1942
This air raid was somewhat smaller and happened at 17.10 hours and four high explosive bombs were dropped hitting: a garden in High Street; a garage adjacent to the Holland County Council Clinic in Holland Road; a garden at the rear of a house in Church Street; and Ayscoughfee Gardens. The shockwave caused several shop windows in the town to fall outwards and some roofs were damaged. 50 business premises were damaged along with 250 houses and five people sustained minor injuries with no loss of life.
[1] As a child in 27 Stonegate Jack George, who lived down the road at that time told us that a crack in the corner of the bay window was caused by an explosion that hit a nearby house.
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