| Battle of Graveney Marsh | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of World War II | |||||||
|
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| United Kingdom | Germany | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Cpt. John Cantopher | Uffz. Fritz Ruhlandt | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| 1st Bat. London Irish Rifles | Luftwaffe bomber crew | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Company size | 4 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| none | 1 wounded | ||||||
The Battle of Graveney Marsh, which occurred on the night of 27 September 1940 in Kent, England, was the last action involving a foreign invading force to take place on mainland British soil.[1][2] The fighting took place between the crew of a downed German Junkers Ju 88 bomber and a detachment of soldiers from the 1st Battalion London Irish Rifles in Seasalter.
On 27 September, British Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane fighter planes from No. 66 and No. 92 Squadron RAF attacked what they recognized as a new variant of Junkers 88 over Faversham. An order had been issued to them to capture one such aircraft intact if possible.[1] The German bomber's first engine had already been damaged by anti-aircraft fire during a raid on London and the Spitfires were able to destroy its second engine, forcing the pilot to make a crash landing on Graveney Marsh.
When the London Irish Rifles arrived at the scene from their billet at the Sportsman Inn in nearby Seasalter, the four German crewmembers had unexpectedly armed themselves with machine guns from the aircraft and a submachine gun. After a heavy exchange of gunfire, during which one German airman was shot in the foot, the Germans surrendered to their opponents and were taken prisoner.
Captain John Cantopher succeeded in disarming a demolition charge which enabled the bomber, which was equipped with a new and very accurate type of bombsight, to be captured for examination by British experts. The aircraft was taken to Farnborough Airfield where it was said to have "provided highly valuable information".[1] Cantopher was subsequently awarded the George Medal for his action.[3][4][5]
In September 2010, the London Irish Rifles Regimental Association marked its 70th anniversary by unveiling a commemorative plaque at the Sportsman pub.[2]