Air raids on the Cuxhaven and Wesermünde sectors
Last updated 09.02.2024
During the air war from 1939 to 1945, the city of Cuxhaven and its surroundings were regularly attacked by allied fighter aircraft of various types. With the exception of a few major attacks, these were mostly small-scale bombings, usually on the port area. Some of these were targeted, but mostly secondary or emergency bombings. Low-level attacks and the laying of mines on the Elbe by aircraft were also a regular occurrence. While the RAF mostly attacked at night and with smaller operations, this changed with the attacks of the American Air Force. They also flew during the day and were active with a larger number of aircraft. Although Cuxhaven escaped large-scale area bombing like that which hit other cities, the total number of air raids caused severe damage with a high number of casualties. A total of 92 people were killed by allied air raids on our city during World War II. Nothing is known about the number of injured people.
Map from July 18, 1944. According to the designation, 944 explosive bombs (41 of which were duds), 295 incendiary bombs and 36 phosphorus bombs were dropped on the city at this time. However, these numbers do not match the official data from the city of Cuxhaven, which has knowledge of the exact quantities of munitions dropped by the Allies through aerial photographs and operational logs. However, there can be no 100% accuracy here, as aircraft also carried out emergency drops in poor visibility and these were not always registered. Image source: Cuxhaven City Archives, photo ID: 9e3-27585
Stand: 07.01.1924
DateAir Force
Target of attack, damage, etc.
Source reference
14/15.04.1945RAF
Night raid on 14/15 April 1945 with 500 heavy bombers on a military depot and the railway facilities in the Potsdam district near Berlin. As a diversionary measure, the Royal Air Force carried out a parallel bombing raid on Cuxhaven the night before at around 10 p.m. with 24 Avro Lancaster bombers and 4 De Haviland Mosquitos. This last heavy air raid on Cuxhaven resulted in damage and destruction of buildings on Abendrothstrasse. The Groden Mill was hit directly and was completely destroyed. The Botzbach property on Abendrothstrasse and apartment blocks at the Westerwischweg intersection were also destroyed. The vocational school on the corner of Schulstrasse (now the adult education centre) and the high school for boys were badly damaged.
The district of Döse was hit particularly hard and caused severe devastation. There was severe damage to buildings due to several direct hits on Strichweg, Emmastraße, Prinzessinnentrift and Badehausallee. A light fixture (Christmas tree) landed on the dyke on Duhner Strandstraße and burned through the night.
In total, the attack left 19 people dead and many injured.
Quelle:https://www.backtonormandy.org/the-history/air-force-operations/airplanes-in-actions/lancaster/15886-raf-bomber-command-24-lancasters-raid-on-cuxhaven-1415-april-1945.html
Source: 1. Below
Source: 2. Bottom
What: 1. MB
Those: https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/
01.01.1945
Individual bombs dropped near Nordholz by returning pilots from the Hamburg area. Further bombings between Neuhaus and Altenwisch.
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S 477
Quelle: T 1022 R 2241-S 209
31.12.1944
Carpet dropping by 7 Allied bombers on the return flight to Nordholz airfield and the Wursterheide district as far as the train station. Nordholz: 1 dead, 1 injured. Barracks, houses and radio station destroyed or damaged.
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S 473
Quelle: T 1022 R 2241-S 300
02.12.1944
Bombenabwurf bei Nordholz, keine Schäden.
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S 466
04.11.1944
Bombers of the 8th US Air Force dropped 60 - 80 explosive bombs on the southern part of the Nordholz air base. Damage to buildings and aircraft.
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S 455
30.10.1944
12 - 15 explosive bombs dropped near the Kugelbake barrier into the Elbe fairway, another 60 - 80 explosive bombs dropped into the Elbe off Cuxhaven. Around 50 bombs hit the Döse district, the bell tower of St. Gertrud Church was hit and destroyed, 3 houses were destroyed, around 110 houses were damaged, the community center and school were moderately damaged, a HSF boat was slightly damaged, 1 air raid policeman was killed.
Source: 2 below
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S 450
Quelle: T 1022 R 2148-S 257
25.10.1944
Several high-explosive bombs dropped on an open field near Otterndorf, 5 high-explosive bombs and about 500 stick incendiary bombs dropped near Neuenwalde, one building moderately damaged and 6 slightly damaged. 5 high-explosive bombs dropped on an open field near the Stüh camp.
Quelle: T 1022 R 2148-S 253
15.10.1944
An aerial mine was dropped near Ihlienworth, 3 houses destroyed, 1 dead, 7 injured, livestock lost. Individual drops near Otterndorf - Katthusen.
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S 444
Quelle: T 1022 R 2148-S 246
12.10.1944
Low-level attack by three North American P 51 Mustang fighters with on-board weapons on the Nordholz airfield, minor damage to buildings. One aircraft is shot down.
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S 442
09.10.1944
Individual bombs dropped near Nordholz.
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S 442
26.09.1944
Random bombings in the Cuxhaven and Wesermünde areas.
Quelle: T 1022 R 2148-S 217
12.09.1944
High explosive bombs dropped near Bröckelbeck (8), Westersode (5-6) and Wremen (8).
Quelle: T 1022 R 2148-S 203
30.08.1944
Abwurf von 2 Sprengbomben auf den Flugplatz Nordholz, keine Schäden. Abwurf von Flüssigkeitsbrandbomben bei Steinau und Oberndorf-Oste, ein Haus und eine Scheune zerstört.
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S 421
Quelle: T 1022 R 2148-S 186
24.08.1944
About 40 high-explosive bombs dropped near Nordholz, 2 houses destroyed, 2 houses slightly damaged. 36 high-explosive bombs and 200 stick incendiary bombs near Wannhöden, 12 high-explosive bombs in the community of Midlum, 8 high-explosive bombs near Steinau, further isolated drops in the Cuxhaven sector.
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S 419
Quelle: T 1022 R 2148-S 178
11.08.1944
Bombs dropped into the mudflats near Stand Heide.
Source: 11.08.1944- KTB-Admiral German Bight 1944
06.08.1944
Dropping of explosive bombs on Nordholz and Basbeck.
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S 410
05.08.1944
Dropping of 8 explosive bombs as an emergency drop into the Duhner Watt. Further drops near Nordholz and Warstade.
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S 409
04.08.1944
Dropping of 80 high-explosive bombs on the runway of the Nordholz air base by the USAAF, 392 Bomb Group. No damage to buildings, further impacts on the Nordholz train station and the railway line. 3 high-explosive bombs dropped on Oxstedt, only damage to the fields.
Quelle: 04-08-1944_T 1022 R 2148-S 157
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S 409
29.07.1944
Dropping of 7 explosive bombs by a B 17 bomber of the 100th Bomb Group near Spieka.
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S 403
Those: https://100thbg.com/personnel/?personnel_id=4451
07.20.1944USAF
Allied air raid on the city area with 7 dead.
Those: 1. Unten
18.07.1944USAF
291 American B-17 bombers, escorted by 48 P-38 and 84 P-51 fighters, attacked the port facilities in Kiel and Cuxhaven. Cuxhaven, however, was only attacked by a few aircraft. 8 dead, several seriously injured. Severe destruction of the infrastructure.
447th Bomb Group (Boeing B 17) Mission No. 111 - 18.07.44 CUXHAVENBriefing was at 02:00. The target was oil targets in the Kiel-Germany area on the Baltic side of the Danish peninsula (this meant Schleswig-Holstein). The weapons were 500-pound GP bombs and the launch began at 04:30. When the group reached the German coast, the bombing altitude of 24,000 feet was reached. Scouting forces reported that the target was overcast and so it was decided to attack a coastal target at Cuxhaven on the north side of the Danish peninsula. There were no casualties and the landing began at 11:00.
Quelle: World War II Database, https://ww2db.com
Quelle:https://media.defense.gov/2010/May/25/2001330283/-1/-1/0/AFD-100525-035.pdf
Quelle: KTB-Küstenbefehlshaber Deutsche Bucht
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S 398-399
24.06.1944
High explosive bombs dropped near Cappel - Neufeld on open terrain, only crop damage.
21.06.1944
Isolated high-explosive bomb drops in the Cuxhaven sector.
Quelle: KTB-Küstenbefehlshaber Deutsche Bucht
20.06.1944
High-explosive bombs dropped in the Cuxhaven area, only damage to the fields. 09.25 a.m. High-explosive bombs dropped on the Nordholz air base, the village of Wursterheide (near Wesermünde), 26 high-explosive bombs on communities in the Cuxhaven sector.
Quelle: KTB-Küstenbefehlshaber Deutsche Bucht
Source: Wurster Land hit list
18.06.1944
The bombs were dropped in a series of drops into the Elbe in front of Cuxhaven and scattered across the Cuxhaven section. There is no further background information on any damage. However, low-flying aircraft are apparently now also regularly attacking livestock in the pastures.
Quelle: KTB-Küstenbefehlshaber Deutsche Bucht
15.06.1944
Sprengbombenabwürfe bei Neuwerk, Lüdingworth, Ihlienworth, Nordleda, Altenbrucher Reede und Nordholz.
Quelle: KTB-Küstenbefehlshaber Deutsche Bucht
Which: T-1022 R-2243-S 378
30.05.1944
Bombenabwürfe bei Nordholz, Knill, Cuxhaven, Wanna und Wesermünde.
Quelle: KTB-Küstenbefehlshaber Deutsche Bucht
Which: T-1022 R-2147-S 438
13.05.1944
Bombs dropped near Medemsand. A North American P 51 "Mustang" also attacks Nordholz Air Base, causing minor damage to buildings.
Which: T-1022 R-2147-S 430
18.04.1944
Amerikanischer Luftangriff durch schwere B 24 Liberator - Bomber der 392nd Bomb Group auf den Hafenbereich von Cuxhaven. Zudem weitere Abwürfe bei Kriegsfeuerschiff H.
An airfield southwest of Brandenburg, near Berlin, was assigned as the primary target. At 1035, (25) aircraft began takeoff, with (1) having to abort the mission prematurely due to mechanical difficulties. The weather en route was again bad, making the bombing difficult and precluding accurate visual bombing. The primary could not be hit as a result. A force of (13) aircraft attacked appropriate targets at their own discretion. (1) attacked Bucholz and (10) aircraft bombed the harbor of Cuxhaven, north of Bremerhaven, with good results in the harbor area. A total of (958) 100# bombs were fired at these targets. Enemy fighters encountered against the group were zero, AA was moderate but fairly accurate. The unit suffered the loss of (1) aircrew in #704 of the 577th First Lieutenant DE Tiefenthal. This aircraft was last seen at 5230N-1225E in clouds and under anti-aircraft fire. The aircraft was observed to turn over onto its back and begin a tight spin out of control with no crew bailouts observed. Of the returning aircraft (8) had sustained flak damage upon landing at about 1745.
Quelle: KTB-Küstenbefehlshaber Deutsche Bucht
Source: 18-04-1944-T-1022 R-2133 KTB Commander Security of the North Sea-SANY0166
22.01.1944
Bombs dropped south of Cuxhaven, detonations can be heard. Incendiary bombs near Nordholz, a fire.
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S 368
Source: T-1022 R-4027-2 Commander North Sea and Commander West-0198
26.11.1943
Air station Ove Ovens Haus - Duhnen, MSS Neuwerk and boats of the HFS report explosive bombs being dropped near Neuwerk into the mudflats and the Elbe.
Quelle: KTB-Küstenbefehlshaber Deutsche Bucht
Source: T 1022 R 2243-S286-288
06.11.1943
Quelle:https://media.defense.gov/2010/May/25/2001330283/-1/-1/0/AFD-100525-035.pdf
03.08.1943
01:33 Uhr
Several bombs hit the area around the Schantung-Pollux-Neufeld anti-aircraft position. 7 soldiers died and one was seriously injured. Further high-explosive bombs hit the rural communities surrounding the city, causing some serious damage to buildings. Further bombs were dropped on Battery Stand Heide, 400 meters from the high stand and south of Cuxhaven on a broad front.
Quelle: 2.MA.FLA.A. 214
Quelle: KTB-Küstenbefehlshaber Deutsche Bucht
Quelle: KTB-Küstenbefehlshaber Deutsche Bucht
Source: KTB-Marine Command North Sea 08-1943
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S195-204
25.07.1943
Several impacts in the area of the Grodener Mühle and near Neuwerk without damage.
Source: 2 below
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S157
11.06.1943USAF
With mission number 62, the 8th US Bomber Command issued the order to send 252 heavy bombers to the port cities of Wilhelmshaven and Cuxhaven. This daytime attack with 30 Boeing B-17s without escort on the city of Cuxhaven caused severe damage to the center and port area, leaving 39 dead and many homeless. At the same time, Wilhelmshaven was attacked by 222 bombers. In Cuxhaven, there was severe damage to buildings by 218 explosive bombs on Kaemmererplatz (post office, press building, Niemeyer House, entrance hall of the station building and railway tracks), Poststrasse, Feldweg, Norderstrasse, Holstenstrasse and in Lehfeld. 40 hits hit the Amerikahafen, the Imperatorkai, the harbor basin and the Elbe without causing any major damage. 1 hit an open field in Westerwisch. A total of 259 bombs of 1000 lb (approx. 450 kg) were dropped. In both attacks, 8 B17 "Flying Fortress" were shot down by fighters and anti-aircraft guns and more than 60 were damaged, some seriously.
> Click for more information!
Those: https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/1680
Source: 2 below
Source: 1. Below
Source: KTB-Befh North Sea Station T1022-R4026
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S121-123
21.05.194312:46
Drops at Berensch.
Quelle: T 1022 R 2243-S115
03.02.1943
21:25, serial dropping of high explosive bombs between Otterndorf and the Oste after emergency dropping due to heavy fire from an English bomber by the M.FLA.A 214 Cuxhaven.
Source: 03-02-1943_NARA T-1022-R2243_S0729_Commander Cuxhaven
27.09.1942Unknown
Dropped into the mudflats near Neuwerk, no damage.
Source: T-1022 R-4249 KBfh. German Bay and Bfh. Security of Mine Ships
09/14/1942RAF
3 Sprengbombenabwürfe, davon 1 Blindgänger im Bereich der Grodener Mühle, leichte Gebäudeschäden. Angiff eines Flugzeugs mit Sprengbomben auf den ausfahrenden Zug, ohne Schäden. Die tief fliegende Maschine war durch die Batterien nicht rechtzeitig erkannt worden und entkam unbeschossen. Weitere 4 Sprengbomben 800 m westlich von Scharhörn ins Watt.
Source: 2 below
Source: 14-09-1942_NARA T-1022-R2242_S0825_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
09/05/1942RAF
Several bomb hits between Oxstedt and Drangst, no damage.
Source: 2 below
07/29/1942RAF
Bomb hit in an open field on a pasture in Westerwisch, no damage.
Source: 2 below
06/18/1942RAF
4 explosive bombs dropped in the city area, Abendrothstrasse, severe building damage after bomb hit corner of Westerwischweg (Haus Abraham). Glass and roof damage to another 77 houses, 6 injured.
Source: 2 below
Source: 18-06-1942_NARA T-1022-R2242_S0751_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
04.05.1942from 01:27 am
Sprengbombenabwurf in 240° von Leuchtgruppe 14 (Gudendorf), Treffer in Spieka, Beschädigungen im Dach des Gemeindehauses. 02:02 Uhr Abwürfe in 330° südlich der Kugelbake auf der Elbe.
Source: 04.05-1942_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0728_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
04/18/1942RAF
Major fire after 6 bombs were dropped on the Wernerwald. Heath fires at Light Group 8 (Wernerwald) and Light Group 10 (Oxstedt).
Source: 2 below
Source: KTB-Befh North Sea Station T1022-R4026
Source: 18-04-1942_NARA T-1022-R2242_S0718_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
09.04.194200:12 o'clock
High explosive bombs dropped south by light group 4 Duhnen/Wehrberg, near Stand Heide in the Duhner Watt, the same to the west by light group 16 (Neuwerk). Further drops at 240° by light group 5 (Groden). Bombs dropped SW by light group 9 (Wernerwald).
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
Source: 09-04-1942_NARA T-1022-R2242_S0709 710_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
08.04.194223:54
High explosive bombs dropped by Light Group 9 (Wernerwald).
Source: 08-04-1942_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0708_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
03.03.1942
Bombenabwürfe auf Leuchtschiff "Hans", Großen Vogelsand und Scharhörn.
Quelle: 03-03-1943-T-1022 R-2147 KTB Befehlshaber der Sicherung Nordsee u. Küstenbefehlshaber Deutsche Bucht-PG 35321-SANY0395
02/27/1942RAF
21:47 - 22:30, 10 explosive bombs dropped near Neuwerk into the mudflats, in the area of Spieka, Nordholz, Oxstedt, Duhnen and Lüdingworth.
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
Source: 27-02-1942_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0589_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
02/22/1942RAF
Bombenabwürfe in die Elbe vor Cuxhaven, keine Schäden. Weitere Abwürfe westlich von Neuwerk, 6 Bombenabwürfe in die Grimmershörnbucht, 5 Bomben auf ein Grundstück bei Odisheim.
Source: 2 below
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
Source: 22-02-1942_NARA T-1022 R 2242_S0585_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
21.01.1942
High explosive bombs dropped on Groden.
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
15.01.1942
Dropping new types of flare bombs over Cuxhaven.
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
14.01.1942
High-explosive bombs dropped into the mudflats near Neuwerk.
Quelle: 14-01-1942_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0553_Kommandant Cuxhaven 1940-42
10.01.1942
High-explosive bombs dropped near Altenwalde and Oxstedt. Incendiary and high-explosive bombs dropped near Nordholz, causing damage to buildings and people.
Source: 10-01-1942_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0550_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
04.01.1942
British bombing raid on the fish shipping station and the Werber and Schütt company, various buildings damaged. Airdrops near Neuwerk.
Source: 2 below
Source: 3 below
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
Source:04-01-1942_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0547_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
29.12.1941RAF
Bombings on Cuxhaven
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
28.12.1941RAF
Diverse Treffer durch Stabbrandbomben am Fischversandbahnhof und der Meyerstraße. Phosphorbomben auf die Osterreihe mit Sachschäden. Keine verletzten oder getöteten Personen. Bombenabwürfe bei Neuwerk.
Source: 2 below
Source: 3 below
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
22.12.1941
RAF
Aircraft attack with explosive bombs on a ship near Altenbruch Reede, further bombs dropped north of Scharhörn into the Elbe.
Source: 2 below
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
16.12.1941RAF
Bombs dropped west of Duhnen into the mudflats, and incendiary bombs dropped near Spieka.
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
Source: 16-12-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0534_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
12.12.1941
RNZAF
Secondary attack by a Handley Hampden bomber of the Royal New Zealand Airforce on Cuxhaven Airport.
Those: https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/101996/
10.12.1941
Dropping of three explosive bombs near Cappel - Midlum.
Source: 10-12-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0528_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
30.11.1941RAF
Dropped into the Elbe fairway in front of the Alte Liebe, no damage. Further drops on the Höltjer Höhe. Light group 10 / Oxstedt reports a drop at 180 degrees, close. Dropped an aerial mine in Nordholz. High-explosive bombs dropped SW. by light group 6 / Altenw. Chau. 5 high-explosive bombs in the fairway near the Alte Liebe.
Source: 2 below
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
Source: 30-11-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0523_Kommandant Cuxhaven 1940-42
09.11.1941RAF
Bombs hit Groden, various buildings damaged. Also Höltjer Höhe and Drangst. Battery "Drangst" also reported a bomb dropped 500 meters west of the position, about 80 meters behind the first house in Holte Spangen.
Source: 2 below
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
Quelle: 09-11-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S012_Kommandant Cuxhaven 1940-42
08.11.1941
Light group 16 / Neuwerk reports explosive bombs dropped at 115 degrees in the mud flats. Battery "Stand Heide" reports detonations at 340 degrees.
Source: 08-11-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0509_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
07.11.1941RAF
Several drops into the mudflats between Duhnen and Neuwerk.
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
05.11.1941RAF
High explosive bomb dropped approximately 500 meters south of Leuchtgruppe 4 / Duhnen Wehrbergsweg, presumably in the Duhner Heide.
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
Source: 05-11-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0508_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
01.11.1941RAF
Explosive bombs on the Cuxhaven city area, 1 dead, 3 slightly injured.
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
31.10.1941RAF
Three high-explosive bombs dropped by a low-flying bomber during takeoff. Severe damage to buildings after being hit on Predöhlstrasse, 2 houses destroyed, several damaged, 1 dead and 3 injured. Another bomb dropped on the Otterndorf labor camp, causing minor damage to buildings there.
Source: 2 below
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
Source: 31-10-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0498 499_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
21.10.1941RAF
20 explosive bombs on the Cuxhaven city area.
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
20.10.1941
RAF
Some bombs hit the mudflats near Neuwerk.
Quelle: 20-10-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0487_Kommandant Cuxhaven 1940-42
30.09.194122:44 RAF
Airdrops into the mudflats near the Kugelbake, bomber crashed after being shot at.
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
30.09.1941RAF
A Handley Hampden bomber bound for Hamburg made an emergency drop over Cuxhaven due to poor visibility, hitting the sea dyke. RAF report: "Two fires detected during takeoff, light to heavy anti-aircraft fire over the city."
Source: 2 below
Source: 3 below
29.09.1941RAF
A British bomber, unable to reach its target of Hamburg due to engine failure, makes an emergency drop over Cuxhaven. Hit on the sea dike near the commandant's office, no damage. More bombs fall into the mudflats of Grimmershörn Bay.
Source: 2 below
Source: 29-09-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0470_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
21.09.1941
RAF
Drops on the bulk ordnance depot in Cuxhaven.
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
20/21.09.1941RAF
4 explosive bombs dropped east of Oxstedt, a field railway track damaged. Incendiary bombs dropped between "Altenwalder Straße" and Oxstedt.
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
Source: 21-09-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0409_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
16.09.194105:10 o'clock
Incendiary bombs dropped on the Nordholz oil depot, minor damage to buildings and a small heath fire. An unexploded bomb was blown up on Reichsstrasse 6 during the course of the day. Incendiary bombs dropped on the Wernerwald forest, no damage. 2 explosive and several incendiary bombs dropped on the railway line and the oil pipeline in Franzenburg, 11 explosive bombs dropped on the firing range and the village of Altenwalde, one of which was an unexploded bomb. A time-delayed bomb exploded a day later. Report by MAZA. CX.
Source: 16-09-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0398 399_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
15.09.1941
RAF
Drops on Franzenburg and the Altenwalde naval firing range.
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
Source: 15-09-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0454_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
18.08.1941RAF
Several bombs were dropped between Arensch and the Wernerwald. Nothing is known about hits or damage. Additional bombs were dropped in the area in front of the dike at Neuwerk and in the Elbe.
Source: 2 below
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
17.08.1941RAF
Bombs were dropped into the mudflats near Berensch and Neuwerk, and further bombs were dropped into the Elbe in the immediate vicinity of the anti-aircraft cruiser "Nymphe".
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
Source: 17-08-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0443_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
09.08.1941RAF
Bombenabwürfe auf den Schießplatz der Marine in Altenwalde.
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
08.08.1941RAF
Bombs dropped on Groden and Westerwisch.
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
17.07.1941
ab 01:32 Uhr
High-explosive bombs dropped outside the fairway near lightship "H". 2 high-explosive bombs near Wanna, 12 high-explosive bombs in Wingst.
Source: 17-07-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0420_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
14.07.1941RAF
7 high explosive bombs, one of which was unexploded, were dropped on Stickenbüttel and Brockeswalde. Further bombs were dropped near Altenbruch.
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
Source: 14-07-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0414_Kommandant Cuxhaven 1940-42
13.07.1941from 01:30 am
Several bomb hits towards the island of Neuwerk, 1 incendiary bomb on the village of Heeßel without damage.
Source: 13-07-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0413_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
05.07.1941RAF
Several bomb hits in Stickenbüttel along the Pastor-Drägert-Weg behind the camp field. In the mid-1990s, an unexploded bomb was found and detonated here during the ordnance disposal operation.
Source: 2 below / MB
04.07.1941from 00:30
2 high-explosive bombs dropped into the shipping lane north of Cuxhaven. 8 high-explosive bombs dropped into the Hollen Moor, only crop damage.
Source: 04-07-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0410_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
30.06.1941from 01:50 am
3 bombs dropped in Süderwisch, no damage. 1 high explosive bomb dropped between Groden and Altenbruch. 1 high explosive bomb dropped on Dorfstraße in Nordholz, building damage.
Source: 30-06-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0405_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
26.06.1941RAF
Bombs dropped on Lüdingworth, Altenbruch, Wanna, Neuwerk, Kugelbake and into the Elbe.
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
Source: 26-06-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0402_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
23.06.1941RAF
Bombs dropped near Sahlenburg and Kugelbake.
Source: 23-06-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0400_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
22.06.1941RAF
Four bombs dropped on open fields in Cuxhaven.
Source: KTB: T1022-R3972 Admiral North Sea Station
19.06.1941from 01:15 am
Bombs dropped 300 m in front of the sea hospital into the mudflats, further bombings near Basbeck and Mittelstenahe. Damage to buildings there.
Source: 19-06-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0398_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
12.06.1941
RAF
15 explosive bombs in the Cuxhaven area.
Source: :KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
04.06.1941
14:13 Uhr
Berensch gun reports explosive bombs being dropped 3 km north in the mudflats.
Source: 04-06-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0392_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
29.05.1941RAF
Drop of a high explosive bomb (225 kg) near Lüdingworth, one dud, minor damage to the area.
Source: 29-05-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0387_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
15.05.1941RAF
RAF aircraft carried out attacks on Berlin, Cuxhaven and Hanover in Germany. Attack on the port area, nothing is known about hits and damage.
Source: 2 below
Quelle: World War II Database, https://ww2db.com
11.05.1941
RAF
Several bombs were dropped on the city area, hits on the platform of the port station and on the grounds of the Sanftleben-Beckmann shipyard. Further impacts in open fields near Grenzstrasse.
Source: 2 below
10.05.1941RAF
Schwerer Britischer Bombenangríff auf Cuxhaven. Zerstörung des "Vereínshauses" in der Friedrich - Carl - Straße mit 30 Toten, von denen 28 in einer großen öffentlichen Feier auf dem Brockeswalder Friedhof beigesetzt wurden, weiterhin gab es 8 Verletzte. Weitere Abwürfe im Stadtgebiet verteilt.
Source: 2 below
Quelle: 10-05-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0379_Kommandant Cuxhaven 1940-42
08.05.1941RAF
Air raid on the city of Cuxhaven with five dead.
Source: KTB-T1022-R3972 Admiral North Sea Station
Source: :KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
07.05.194101:14 hrsRAF
Mehrere Abwürfe bei Altenbruch, Kugelbake und Groden.
Source: 07-05-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0377_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
06.05.1941RAF
Air raid on the city of Cuxhaven.
Source: KTB-T1022-R3972 Admiral North Sea Station
Source: :KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
03.05.1941
01:53 Uhr
RAF
Incendiary bombs dropped into the mudflats near Stand Heide, another 400 m north of Scharhörn,
Source: 03-05-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0376_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
01.05.1941ab 01:151 UhrRAF
Various bombs dropped in the city area and near Nordholz.
Source: 01-05.1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0375_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
30.04.1941RAF
Mehrere Bombenabwürfe im Stadtgebiet von Cuxhaven und bei Neuwerk.
Source: KTB-T1022-R3972 Admiral North Sea Station
Source: :KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
27.04.194102:07 hrsRAF
Explosive and incendiary bombs dropped about 1000 meters east of light group 15 on Otterndorf lock, no damage.
Source: 27-04-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0370_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
17.04.1941ab 02:51 UhrRAF
High-explosive bombs dropped south of Batt. Altenbruch, high-explosive bombs dropped 3-4 km south of the Nordholz radio tower, no damage, 6 high-explosive bombs dropped into the mudflats between Stand Heide and Neuwerk.
Source: KTB Marine Station of the North Sea
Source: 17-04-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0368_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
08.04.1941RAF
Bombs dropped near Altenbruch, stick incendiary bombs dropped between Duhnen and Sahlenburg and Neuwerk, no material damage.
Source: KTB-T1022-R3972 Admiral North Sea Station
Source: 2 below
Source: 08-04-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0362_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
27.02.1941RAF
Bombings near Scharhörn.
Source: KTB-T1022-R3972 Admiral North Sea Station
16.01.1941
21:20 Uhr
RAF
Incendiary bombs dropped on Light Group 9 (Wernerwald) without damage.
Source: 16-01-1941_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0333_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
28.12.1940RAF
Heavy detonation in the west of Neuwerk.
Source: KTB-T1022-R3972 Admiral North Sea Station
05.12.1940RAF
Aircraft attack with explosive bombs on a ship near Altenbruch Reede, further bombs dropped north of Scharhörn into the Elbe.
Source: 2 below
Source: 3 below
Source: KTB -T1022-R3972 Admiral North Sea Station
Source: KTB-T-1022 R-2787 North Sea and North Frisian Islands
02.12.1940
RAF
Bombs dropped on the town center. Damage to buildings and property on the farm of master butcher Harms on Nordersteinstrasse and the train station building. Further hits at the L.Voss company, where two people were seriously injured and two were slightly injured, and there was also serious damage to buildings. Further bombs dropped near Sahlenburg, Altenbruch Westerende and Altenwalde.
Source: 2 below
Source: 3 below
Source: KTB-T1022-R3972 Admiral North Sea Station
Source: KTB-T-1022 R-2787 North Sea and North Frisian Islands
Quelle: KTB-02-12-1940-T-1022 R-2787 Nordsee und Nordfriesische Inseln u. Rotterdamm
Source:02-12-1940_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0293_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
01.12.1940RAF
Bombs dropped on the harbor with minor damage.
Source: KTB-T-1022 R-2787 North Sea and North Frisian Islands
24.11.1940
Bombs dropped 500 meters north of the Ostedeich near Itzwörden/Geversdorf. 4 explosive bombs (200 kg), one of which was dud, no damage.
Quelle: 24-11-1940_T-1022 R-2787_S063_Kbh-Nfl
16/17.11.1940
Several bombs dropped in the northern Elbe-Weser area, air raid on the shipyards in Cuxhaven and near Altenbruch. Further bombs dropped near Scharhörn Riff and the Elbe fairway. 9:20 p.m. - 6 bombs dropped northwest of Scharnstedt, see reports.
Source: 2 below
Source: KTB-T1022-R3972 Admiral North Sea Station
Quelle: 25-10-1940_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0264_Kommandant Cuxhaven 1940-42
Quelle:16-11-1940_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0280_Kommandant Cuxhaven 1940-42
Quelle: 16-11-1940_T-1022 R-2787_S068,70,72_Kbh-Nfl
28.10.1940from 22:00 hrsRAF
Air raid on Cuxhaven-Westerwisch, 4 high explosive bombs hit a pasture belonging to the Ellm family on Brockeswalder Chaussee, one of which was an unexploded bomb. 3 bombs dropped near Nordleda. Report from the Royal Air Force.
Source: KTB-T1022-R3972 Admiral North Sea Station
Which: Royal Air Force
Source: 2 below
Source: 28-10-1940_T-1022 R-2787_S034_Kbh-Nfl
25.10.1940RAF
British air raid on Cuxhaven at 5 a.m. Two roof fires, street damage in the city center. Track and building damage at Cuxhaven station and the allotment gardens on Meyerstrasse after 7 high-explosive bombs were dropped. Another bomb was dropped in the evening near Altenbruch, destroying telephone cables in the Alte Marsch.
Source:2 below
Source: KTB-T1022-R3972 Admiral North Sea Station
Source: KTB-25-10-1940-T-1022 R-2787 North Sea and North Frisian Islands and Rotterdamm-2787-023
Quelle: 25-10-1940_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0264_Kommandant Cuxhaven 1940-42
24.10.1940
RAF
Some bombs dropped on Cuxhaven station, some hits, minor damage.
Source: KTB-T1022-R3972 Admiral North Sea Station
Source: KTB-24-10-1940-T-1022 R-2787 North Sea and North Frisian Islands and Rotterdamm-2787-028
21.10.1940RAF
67 bombs were dropped on the port, but nothing is known about hits or damage.
Source:2 below
21.10.1940RAF
Altenbruch-Westerende, four incendiary bombs dropped on an open field, no damage.
Source: KTB-21-10-1940-T-1022 R-2787 North Sea and North Frisian Islands and Rotterdamm-2787-024
19.10.1940
Three high explosive bombs were dropped between Itzwörden and Hörne, one of which was an unexploded bomb, causing only damage to the fields.
Quelle: 19-10-1940_NARA T-1022 R-2787_S023_Kbh.Nf.
16.10.1940RAF
Luftangriff auf den Hafen und die Werften, keine Hinweise auf Treffer oder Schäden. Weitere Abwürfe auf den Gr0ßen Vogelsand.
Source: 2 below
Quelle: 19-10-1940_NARA T-1022 R-2787_S023_Kbh.Nf.
14.10.194000:45 hrs
British bombings on the Wernerwald, 4 explosive bombs hit. No injuries.
Source: 2. below
Quelle: 19-10-1940_NARA T-1022 R-2787_S02_Kbh.Nf.
11.10.1940
RAF
6 bombs dropped on the Nordheim Foundation.
Quelle:11-10-1940_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0246_Kommandant Cuxhaven 1940-42
01.10.1940RAF
4 explosive bombs dropped on the Abschnede near Groden in an open field, a further 8 explosive bombs dropped on the mudflats between Neuwerk and Kugelbake, no damage.
Source: KTB-01-10-1940-T-1022 R-2786 North Frisian Islands-00737
Source:2 below
Source:3 below
Source: KTB-T1022-R3972 Admiral North Sea Station
29.09.1940RAF
Incendiary tablets dropped near Altenwalde - Franzenburg, bombs dropped near Hof Glameier - Altenbruch Osterende. Further bombs dropped on Altenwalder Chaussee, only slight damage to buildings.
Source: KTB-29.09-1940-T-1022 R-2786 North Frisian Islands-00737-A.jpg
Source: 29-09-1940_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0231_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
28/29.09.1940RAF
5 Sprengbombenabwürfe auf Ländereinen von Bauer Glameier (Altenbruch-Westerende). 7-8 Meter Durchmeser, 3-4 Meter tief. Keine Sach- oder Personenschäden. Weitere Brandbombenabwürfe bei Altenwalde-Franzenburg.
Source: 28/29-09-1940_S0737_T-1022 R-2786 North Frisian Islands
23.09.1940RAF
4 explosive bombs were dropped on the port and the railway area, no damage is known.
Source: 2 below
18.09.1940RAF
Drops from Neuwerk and "Großer Vogelsand".
Source: KTB-T1022-R3972 Admiral North Sea Station
Source: KTB-18.09-1940-T-1022 R-2786 North Frisian Islands-00733
15/16.09.1940
Bombs dropped on patrol boats on the Elbe, no damage. Another bomb dropped (unexploded) between Nordholz and Berensch.
Source: 15/16-09-1940_S0726_T-1022 R-2786 North Frisian Islands
12.09.1940RAF
Zwei Bombenabwürfe in Nähe M.S.S.-Neuwerk, keine Schäden
Source: KTB-12.09-1940-T-1022 R-2786 North Frisian Islands-00725.jpg
11/12.09.1940
4 explosive bombs dropped on the railway line southwest of Musum, 1 explosive crater and 3 unexploded bombs in an open field. Heather fire in the Ahlenmoor in four places caused by the dropping of phosphorus incendiary pellets, which were extinguished by the evening.
Source: 11/12-09-1940_S0725_T-1022 R-2786 North Frisian Islands
11.09.1940RAF
Attack by three British Handley Hampden bombers with 8 x 500 lbs. and 4 x 250 lbs. high-explosive bombs on the Cuxhaven airfield and the port facilities. Impacts in the Elbe shipping channel in front of Steubenhöft and in the minesweeper harbor, no damage. Further bombs fall on the mudflats in front of Cuxhaven.
Source: 1 below
Source: 2 below
Source: 3 below
Source: KTB-11.09-1940-T-1022 R-2786 North Frisian Islands-00724.jpg
Source: 11-09-1940_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0214_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
09.09.1940RAF
British emergency bombing raid on Cuxhaven on 9 September 1940. Destruction of residential buildings in Lindenweg/Drangst and residential buildings near the Cuxhaven hospital on Altenwalder Chaussee. Report of the attack by the Royal Air Force.
Source: 1. below
Which: RAF
Source: 2 below
Source: KTB-09.09-1940-T-1022 R-2786 North Frisian Islands-00723.jpg
Source: 09-09-1940_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0213_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
08/09.09.1940
Several bombs dropped into the mudflats near Spieka-Neufeld air base, no damage. Another 7 heavy bombs dropped into open fields near Geversdorf. Damage to bean and grain fields, craters about 9 meters in diameter, 4 meters deep, probably 150 kg bombs.
Quelle: 08-09-1940_S0722_T-1022 R-2786 Nordfriesische Inseln
02.09.1940
1 Sprengbombe und mehrere Brandbomben auf die Bahnstrecke Dorum - Mulsum, ein Pferd tot.
Source: 02-09-1940_S0720_T-1022 R-2786 North Frisian Islands
21.07.1940
Dropping of explosive bombs on the Nordholz oil depot, a bomb on Altenbruch Osterende and bombs on the Weddewarden air base.
Source: Source: 21-07-1940_S0694_T-1022 R-2786 North Frisian Islands
15.07.1940RAF
Dropping of incendiary bombs at Nordholz airfield and oil depot.
Source: 15-07-1940_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0152_Commander Cuxhavenn 1940-42
05.07.1940RAF
Bombs were dropped on the port of Cuxhaven, but no damage is known.
Source: 2 below
30.06.1940RAF
Emergency drops south of Cuxhaven, impacts near Cappel in the mudflats. Three more drops near Neuenkirchen on open terrain, no damage. Two of them exploded, one dud.
Source: KTB-30-06-1940-T-1022 R-2786 North Frisian Islands-00662.jpg
Source: 30-06-1940_NARA T-1022 R-2241_S0128_Commander Cuxhaven 1940-42
Source: 30-06-1940_S0663_T-1022 R-2786 North Frisian Islands
26.06.1940RAF
Bombs dropped in the mouth of the Elbe, no damage.
Source: 2 below
07.06.1940RAF
Bombings between Hohe Lieth and Gudendorf
Quelle: 07-06-1940_NARA T-1022 R-2242_S0086_Kommandant Cuxhavenn 1940-42
30/31.05.1940RAF
Britischer Luftangriff auf das Stadtgebiet Cuxhaven, keine Personenschäden. Schäden durch drei Treffer mit Sprengbomben in der Kommandantur Grimmershörnkaserne, Tennisplatz Kommandantur, div. Splitterschäden unter anderem in einer Gärtnerei und angrenzenden Gebäuden. 3 Bomben fielen in Lüdingworth auf freies Feld.
Source: 2. below
Source: 3. below
Quelle: KTB-31-05-1940-T-1022 R-2786 Nordfriesische Inseln-00610
02/03.05.1940
RAF
Air raid by a British bomber on Cuxhaven.
Which: Royal Air Force
24.03.194014:38
Emergency jettison of a Vickers Wellington after heavy anti-aircraft fire. Several high-explosive bombs fell into the water in front of the Alte Liebe.
Quelle: 24-03-1940_S0526_T-1022 R-2786 Nordfriesische Inseln
16.01.1940
RAF
An incendiary bomb was dropped on the heath south of Cuxhaven.
Source: KTB-16-01-1940-T-1022 R-2787 North Sea and North Frisian Islands and Rotterdamm-2787-1184
09.09.1939RAF
British air raid on the port, no evidence of material damage
Source: 2 below
04/05.09.1939RAF
30 RAF Wellington bombers attacked the German Navy at Wilhelmshaven, Cuxhaven and Schillig Reede. Seven of thirty aircraft were shot down and the handful of bombs that hit their targets failed to explode. No.107 Squadron at Wattisham lost four of five Blendheim bombers, which were the first RAF casualties of WWII. A few drops were reported between Elbe 1 and Elbe 2 with no damage. One British crew member killed was buried with military honours in Brockeswalde on 16.09.39.
Quelle: World War II Database, https://ww2db.com
Source: 2 below
Source 1: Hermann Borrmann (book - data on the history of Ritzebüttel/Cuxhaven)Source 2: City of Cuxhaven, Andew WeigeltSource 3: Harald Schönemann (book - naval helper in the Kugelbake battery)
RAF: Royal Air ForceRNZAF: Royal New Zealand AirforceUSAF: United States Air Force
Two air raids remain unexplained. One was on Duhnen on Häfchenweg (a bomb crater still exists today), where a beacon for German Luftwaffe aircraft was said to have been located. The second was on the radar system (Kuckuck) of the Kammhuber Line in Berensch. There were two Würzburg-Riese measuring devices and one Freya radar device here. The bomb hits can be clearly seen on aerial photographs. Therefore, both missions should be considered direct attacks.
The report from the city of Cuxhaven below provides another interesting insight into the location and clearance of unexploded bombs in the city of Cuxhaven. The results of the research by department 6.1 can be found in the table above. The texts and tables below are all subject to the copyright of the city of Cuxhaven. Many thanks to Andrew Weigelt for his support.
Source: Tables and texts City of Cuxhaven