Hi Folks,

I\'m currently researching the Battle of Orkney, that is the Luftwaffe bombing campaign against Orkney and the British Home Fleet that took place between the outbreak of war in September 1939 and April 1940. I am particularly interested in the archaeology, that is the material evidence, of the battle and wondered if anyone knew of any stories or locations where bombs fell during the raid on Orkney either on target, missing, or ditched on the way home. I am equally interested in hearing any stories relating to the strafing of civilians in the fields or whilst out cutting peats where it might be possible to corroborate the accounts through archaeological investigation. If you know of anywhere then please get in touch. I have heard there was a stick of bombs dropped behind St. Mary\'s and naturally around Brig O\' Waithe but any more information would be greatly received.

Thanks

Gavin

I can remember my grandfather telling me that several lighthouses were machine gunned by passing luftwaffe raiders.. I got the impression from his story that it wasn\'t a target as such, just targets of opportunity by the gunners on the bombers. I\'m sure Start Point on Sanday was hit a few times. Probably something in the NLB archives about it as each lighthouse kept a log. I remember seeing bullets still embedded in the wall of the lighthouse in Scrabster.

I can also remember him telling me that across the firth in Thurso there was some tinkers killed when in raid the Germans bombed the town dump. There was a fire in the dump that hadn\'t been put out and some tinkers who were camping/living at the dump were killed. The bomber had seen the fire and attacked it..

Cheers very much for that Graham,

Very interesting and valid point I hadn\'t thought of having a look through those records and would make perfect sense as the Luftwaffe were renound for using lighthouses as landmarks for their navigation. I\'m hopefully heading over to Sanday next weekend so I\'ll keep my eyes peeled.

Thanks again, hope you\'re well

Gavin