RAF Usworth

Aircaft from RAF Usworth played a major role in the only large-scale aerial attack by the Germans in N.E. England. The attack was soundly defeated and never attempted again.  For much more information on this air raid, which took place on 15th August 1940, click the Blue Link below to go to Washington History Society's HOME FRONT Article where you'll find another Link to '607 Squadron RAF Usworth'.

In addition to active service, Aircrew from across the Commonwealth and United States were trained at RAF Usworth.

Although there were no direct attacks on Washington, the residents spent many nights in air-raid shelters when Newcastle and Sunderland were under attack.

The Royal Observer Corps, although numerically small, was operational 24 hours each day, from the first to the last day of the War.  The ROC was manned by civilian volunteers.

[ Comments from Ernie Guy, Observer in The ROC and Member of WHS. ]

Washington Home Front

A couple of years ago I uploaded a Review of the Washington Home Front to the WHS Website.  It was based on the above research by Ripley & Pears.  They had culled their information mainly from newspaper reports, and the then recently released documents on RAF actions.

I added one or two actions they had missed, RAF Usworth related events, War Weeks, Bomb Shelters and Searchlights
but I could not find a newpaper report about two houses damaged in Great Usworth in October 1941.

[ Comments from Ged Parker, Chair of Washington History Society ]