WW2 Messerschmitt Bullet Marks, Truro Station
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| Bullet indentations on exterior footbridge panel Photo: Charles Moorhen |
During World War Two At around 7:30 on the evening of Thursday the 6th August 1942, Truro railway station, Cornwall, came under attack from a lone German Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter aircraft - better known as the Messerschmitt ME 109.
The
physical results of this terrifying incident can still be seen in one
of the east-facing side panels of the platform footbridge spanning
the tracks where two bullets slammed against the bridge metal; one
almost penetrating it.
Bullet indentations on interior of Truro station footbridge panel Photo: Charles Moorhen
Bullet holes on Truro footbridge panel just above platform roof gutter on right Photo: Charles Moorhen
At the time of the attack the mail train from Penzance to London was standing in the station, and it is widely believed that it was the presence of the train which momentarily distracted the attention of the German pilot away from his main target - the city of Truro itself.
As
the ME 109 flew on towards Truro, to join the raid which killed 14
people and resulted in the injury of another 100, it left behind two
fatalities and a number of wounded.
Messerschmitt ME 109
Those who died were railway worker, Mr. P. Williams, 52, and postman, Mr.
E. Pentecost, 41.
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While
on the subject of Cornish railways and WW2, it is worth noting that
many children were evacuated by train to Cornwall at some point
during the years of hostilities.
Here are just two brief examples:
On
Friday the 1st September 1939, 544 evacuee children and their
teachers arrived at St. Austell station, Cornwall, on the 6:30 from
Paddington, London, on Evacuation Train No.103.
On
the 3rd
September 1939, an evacuation train with the identification number 116 painted
across the front of the engine boiler, brought 230 children and
mothers to Truro station from Acton, London, to be billetted in Truro
and the surrounding area.
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