The Battle of Cawsand Bay - The story of the only Luftwaffe Tip and Run raid on Plymouth Sound

In this short film from Plymouth at War, Andy and Dave combine contemporary and modern copyright free photograph and film to narrate the true story of the only Luftwaffe Tip and Run raid on Plymouth Sound during World War Two. As the German war machine advanced across France, the Luftwaffe were able to launch multiple single seat fighter attacks on strategic locations around the coast of South West England. The dramatic scenes which unfolded over the natural amphitheatre of Plymouth Sound on 16 May 1942 are known by those who were there as the Battle of Cawsand Bay. This little know story was researched by Dave for an article in Britain at War magazine published in September 2018.

Copyright Info:

All period footage and photographs used in this film have been identified by Creative Commons as being in the public domain and free of known restrictions under copyright law, including all related and neighbouring rights. It has been established that the footage used can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Images used from the Imperial War Museum are said to be free to reuse for non-commercial purposes under the IWM Non-Commercial Licence.

All present-day film footage and period photographs used here are either from the film maker’s collection or by kind permission of the persons credited in the film. Artist Gordon Frickers has kindly given permission for his oil painting of the Battle of Cawsand Bay to be used in this film. All music is by kind permission of Ross Bugden.

US National Archives and Records Administration: ARC 64831 – ARC 39128
US Naval Photographic Centre: NPC 16528
Imperial War Museum - © IWM (A 6175) - © IWM (A 923) - © IWM (A 914) - © IWM (A D 888)