The London SE8 Deptford area was already badly battered by
the Blitz. Now it was on the receiving end of 15 V1 Flying
Bombs and 3 V2 Rockets. Between them these killed at least
93 people.. The Death rate at 5.16  per missile was the 4th  
highest in South London which very much was due to the
densely packed nature of the terraced housing in this area.

What is really remarkable about the Flying Bomb attacks on Deptford is the manner in which the Nazis
were able to hit Deptford Dock Yard or nearby streets. No less than 7 V1's and a V2 fell in this
concentrated area. If the Nazi's were able to select a target this would have been one of the highest on
the list in London. The reason for this is that the dock yard was the home of a USA Amphibious base
which was being used to support the D day Landings. Now whether this was very good aiming or
whether it was a matter of luck will probably never be known but there was significant damage to
military equipment and loss of life amongst service personnel.
There was a very tragic Rocket incident in Adolphus street on the 9th January 1945 which killed 15
people. In common with many rocket explosions that winter fires were caused in the debris of collapsed
buildings due to burning coals from domestic fires being scattered in the debris.
SE8  Deptford
PostCode

PostCode

Borough

 

Type

Area

Position

 

Deaths

Date

Time

Publish_text

SE8

Deptford

V1

Deptford

85 Albyn Road

2

16/06/1944

00:00

 

SE8

Deptford

V1

Deptford

Reginald Square In Square

22

16/06/1944

07:53

This was the first V1 Flying bomb to fall in SE8 and it struck in the heart of Deptford in Reginald Square.

SE8

Deptford

V1

Deptford

Between Gosterwood St and Etta St East End

8

25/06/1944

02:05

6 houses were demolished and the whole of Gosterwood Street was badly damaged by blast. All the properties in the boundaries of Blackhorse Road ,Childerick Road Rolt St and Evelyn St damaged.

SE8

Deptford

V1

Deptford

Creekside/Bronze St Junction

2

26/06/1944

03:50

Finch House was partially demolished ,remainder of Bronze st severely damage. All properties bounded by Deptford Church St,Creek Road and Creek side damaged.

SE8

Deptford

V1

Deptford

Between Evelyn St and Alverton Street

0

01/07/1944

05:01

46-278 and 287-311 Evelyn St shop & house property demolished.204-244 and 313-317 Evelyn St (shop and house property) severely damaged. All property in the boundary of Rolt St Alverton Street Abinger Grove and Sayers court damaged by blast. About 50 feet of tramway track damaged. Persons rescued from debris.

SE8

Deptford

V1

Deptford

Deptford Green

0

02/07/1944

23:59

4 storey block of flats previously damaged by an HE bomb demolished and remainder of estate (4 blocks) damaged. Property in Stowage st, Borthwick st, Watergate st, McMillan st, slight damage

SE8

Deptford

V1

Deptford

Prince Street Deptford Dock yard

13

08/07/1944

03:21

It is generally considered that the Nazis were not able to aim the V1 very well but this area of Deptford Dock Yard, which was a US amphibious base supporting the D days invasion, was to suffer badly from 7 V1's and 1 V2 within an area no more than about 1/4 mile square. The damage would have been substantial. Maybe the aim was better than has been considered. This one fell in the Dock Yard near Prince Street all the casualties were US navy officers and ratings. A 1500 ton tank landing craft severely damaged by explosion and fire in the after part. Also surrounding property in Quayside badly damaged.. The V1 hit the starboard side of the TLC and portside of a second causing fire in the superstructure square.

SE8

Deptford

V1

Deptford

Deptford Dock Yard

11

11/07/1944

12:15

The 2nd V1in 3 days to explode in Deptford Dock Yard.V1 fell on Stowage Wharf. Workshop and store demolished and jetty with 5 cranes severe damage. main generator station bldngs,4 blocks of flats in Benbow st damaged. Damage to Fire Barge - John

SE8

Deptford

V1

Deptford

Hoopwick st Evelyn St Junction (gone) was opposite park

2

13/07/1944

18:05

This V1 struck in Hoopwick street Deptford which has now disappeared but it was near the current Oxtalls Road. 10 houses demolished, mission hall and school severe damage, all properties in area bounded by Hoopwick Terr. Kepslade st, Windmill ln,Evelyn st damaged. Fire barge hut slight damage,

SE8

Deptford

V1

Deptford

Deptford Dock Yard

2

18/07/1944

06:19

The 3rd V1 to strike this small area fell again in Deptford Dock yard. The USA amphibious base suffered further damage.

SE8

Deptford

V1

Deptford

Deptford Dock yard

1

21/07/1944

03:45

The 4th Of 6 V1's to strike this small area of Deptford and again the USA amphibious base was damaged. 20 concrete huts used as sleeping quarters and recreation rooms, post office ,sick bay ,2 petrol pumps, and 1 truck severe damage Prince Street : 2 storey bldng slight damage Watergate St 4 blocks of flats slight damage Prince st…2 storey brick bldng used as offices severe damage

SE8

Deptford

V1

Deptford

Prince St /Czar St Junction

6

21/07/1944

08:09

The 5th of 6th V1 Flying bombs to strike this part of Deptford exploded in Prince Street. 10 houses damaged, small fire in one. 30 houses severe damaged by blast and all surrounding properties slight damage in area of Dacca st, New King st, Evelyn st, One lorry severe damage 2 lorries slight damage

SE8

Lewisham

V1

Lewisham

Brookmill Road NE side opposite Lind Street

0

22/07/1944

22:54

This V1 struck in Brookmill Road on the NE side opposite Lind Street. No deaths are recorded. Brookmill road 8 houses demolished 2 blngs and 20 houses severe damaged and 60 houses slight damage houses and blnsgs damaged in Cranbrook rd, Strickland st, clandon st, st johns vale, lind st,bolden st, Albyn rd, Elverson rd, john Penn st, orchard hill, cold bath st, Morden terrace school

SE8

Deptford

V1

Deptford

Baildon Street

2

24/07/1944

00:00

This V1 is clearly indicated on the bomb damage maps but no record can be found in the Fire Brigade records. It may be that in fell during the period that the latter records are incomplete. The date of the incident was confirmed by the casualty record found in the CWG.

SE8

Deptford

V1

Deptford

Grove st Deptford Dock yard again

7

16/08/1944

07:18

This was the 7th of the V1's that were to fall in the Deptford Dock yard area. This one struck on Grove Street. 6 Nissan huts demolished and surrounding property covering 4 acres damaged

SE8

Deptford

V2

Deptford

Adolphus Street/Payne St Junction

15

09/01/1945

19:40

This serious incident occurred when a V2 rocket struck Adolphus Street around the Payne Street junction. A row of houses collapsed and burning coals scattered in the debris set the ruins ablaze.15 houses demolished 40 houses and 3 shops severely damaged. Surrounding property in the area Douglas Way,Napier st, Payne st, Octavius st slight damage

SE8

Deptford

V2

Deptford

Deptford Dock Yard

0

03/03/1945

12:17

This V2 rocket struck the already battered area of Deptford Dock Yard which has previously been hit by 7 V1 Flying bombs. It Damaged a US army depot ,red hot fragments started a number of fires. 50 feet of quay demolished,2 wooden barges 1 crane,1 pair of lock gates severe damage. 2 warehouses damaged Properties in area Evelyn st,Watergate st, Windmill Lane slight damage 8 Nissan huts slight damage

SE8

Deptford

V2

Deptford

Deptford Creek to North of Creek Road

0

17/03/1945

12:45

This V2 rocket fell in Deptford Creek injuring 12 people. Barge Cosmic holed and sunk barge waterloo and surrounding wharves damaged

 

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