But one target at Eastney felt the wrath of the German air force – Fort Cumberland.
On August 26, 1940, 50 Heinkel He 111 bombers escorted by more than 100 Messerschmitt 109 and 110 fighter planes flew across the Channel to Portsmouth.
The Luftwaffe dropped 78 bombs within the narrow confines of the old 18th century fortress.
Most Popular
-
1
21 photos from legendary nights out in 1999 in Gosport and Portsmouth
-
2
19 pictures that give a flavour of Portsmouth life back in 1960
-
3
The Great British Bake Off 2022: Is there a release date, will it be available on Channel 4 and All 4, will Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith return and who are the hosts?
-
4
31 photos from The News archives to take you back to Portsmouth in 1995
-
5
17 photos to take you back to trips to Knight and Lee in Southsea
More than 200 marines were at the fort which was being used as an overflow base. But only one of the bombs caused loss of life, when it hit a perimeter room.
Eight men were killed and six wounded.
