The 'Battle of the Firth of Forth' was an air battle fought between German and British aircraft over the Firth of Forth when German bombers attacked the Royal Navy’s base at Rosyth on the northern side of the Firth of Forth (16 October 1939).

The raid was the first German air raid on the UK during World War II.

When the UK declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939, some feared Germany would immediately launch a devastating bombing campaign against British cities. Adolf Hitler still hoped an all-out war with the UK might be avoided if a compromise could be reached, but the UK showed no inclination to compromise, and it was decided that bombing of British targets should begin. Hitler remained anxious the attacks should not antagonise the British too much, however, so the rules of engagement were designed to avoid civilian casualties.

In the past, many maritime threats to the UK had been perceived as coming from the east, so for many years there had been major Royal Navy bases offering its warships access to the North Sea. These bases included Rosyth, on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth.

When war was declared on 3 September, the central belt of Scotland was protected by two fighter squadrons of the Auxiliary Air Force, which had been called up some weeks earlier. At Turnhouse, which was then a Fighter Command sector station, was No. 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron, equipped with Gloster Gladiator single-engined biplane fighters but in the process of converting to the Supermarine Spitfire single-engined monoplane fighter, its pilots deemed competent to fly operationally only in daylight. Another Spitfire unit, No. 602 (City of Glasgow) squadron, was based at Abbotsinch. To counter the German threat from the east, No. 602 Squadron moved to bolster the defences around the Firth of Forth: on 7 October it moved to Grangemouth, and on 13 October to Drem, nearer the coast.

There was initially fair weather on 16 October, with six or seven tenths broken cloud. At 09.20, the 'Chain Home' radar station at Drone Hill near Coldingham detected two intruders heading for the coast from the North Sea. These were Heinkel He 111 twin-engined medium bombers of Oberst Robert Fuchs’s Kampfgeschwader 26 'Löwen' based on the airfield at Westerland on the island of Sylt, at that time the nearest Luftwaffe base to the UK. The two aircraft were fitted with cameras and carried out tactical reconnaissance sorties. The German crews knew that Spitfire fighters were based near the Firth of Forth, despite official intelligence reports that there were none.

After being detected by radar, at 09.45 Observer Corps reports placed one unidentified aircraft at high altitude on a south-westerly course over Dunfermline heading for Rosyth, and another flying across the Borders near Galashiels. Three minutes later, at 09.48, Blue Section of No. 602 Squadron (three Spitfire fighters led by Flight Lieutenant George Pinkerton ) was scrambled to patrol the Island of May, in the mouth of the Firth of Forth, at 5,000 ft (1520 m).

At 10.08, one He 111 was spotted by look-outs on the light cruiser Edinburgh, at anchor in the estuary, and soon after this the bomber was observed over Drem. Blue Section patrolled over the Island of May for 20 minutes before being ordered by the Turnhouse operations room to move southward in the direction of Dunbar. Pinkerton spotted the He 111 and at 10.21 ordered his section into line astern to attack the bomber. However, the German bomber now made a sharp turn to port to escape into cloud. Still some distance away, Pinkerton and one of the other pilots, Archie McKellar, fired at the fleeing bomber, inflicting no damage. The bomber landed safely at Sylt.

These were the first shots fired in the air war over the UK, and after this Blue Section returned to Drem, landing at at 10.44.

Over the rest of the morning, Spitfire fighters of No. 602 Squadron continued to be scrambled to try, unsuccessfully, to intercept unknown intruders, to no effect. By lunch-time, all of the fighters were back on the ground, with one of No. 602 Squadron’s sections at the Coastal Command station at Leuchars, just to the north-east of St Andrews. It had been vectored as far north as Peterhead and, short of fuel, decided to land at Leuchars to refuel and have lunch.

Unknown to the RAF, the German aircraft had radioed information about the weather conditions over the Firth of Forth and, crucially, the ships they had observed including, erroneously, the battle-cruiser Hood. At Westerland, the crews of 12 bombers waited to learn whether or not conditions would allow them to mount an attack, the first on the British homeland.

In addition to KG 26, there was another unit at Westerland, namely I/KG 30 'Adler', a new unit flying the equally new Junkers Ju 88A-1 twin-engined medium bomber. The commanding officer of KG 30 was Hauptmann Helmuth Pohle, who would lead the attack by 12 Ju 88 bombers in four groups of three. The second group, led by Oberleutnant Hans Storp, KG 30's second in command, planned to cross the North Sea at 22,965 ft (7000 m) and make landfall at Berwick upon Tweed, then fly westward across the Scottish border before turning north to carry out the attack from the west. Each of the aircraft carried two 1,102-lb (500-kg) bombs, which was less than the maximum payload because of the quantity of fuel it needed for the distance it had to cover.

The first group took off at 11.55, and at 12.25 the approaching German aircraft were spotted by British radar stations. During the crossing of the North Sea, Pohle’s group had drifted to the north and landfall about 20 miles (32 km) from Berwick, not far from Dunbar. Instead of turning onto the intended track, Pohle decided to fly directly to the target, taking his bombers across East Lothian, to the south of the airfield at Drem, then over the Firth of Forth. Pohle descended to 12,140 ft (3700 m) to begin the first attack. The weather over the area was good: clear skies with broken clouds at 3,935 ft (1200 m).

Below them, the bomber crews could see several ships just beside the Forth railway bridge but, to their disappointment, what they hoped would be Hood was not there. In fact, the ship previously sighted was the battle-cruiser Repulse, which resembled Hood. Repulse was in the Rosyth dockyard and, in accordance with the instructions received by the Germans, no longer a legitimate target. Anchored in the target area, however, were two 'Town' class light cruisers, Edinburgh and Southampton. The 'Tribal' class destroyer Mohawk was making for the dockyard, and other British ships in the vicinity were another destroyer, Jervis, and the aircraft carrier Furious.

A few minutes after the first group of Ju 88 bombers crossed the British coast, the second made landfall as planned, crossing the border to the north of Lauder and shortly reaching Gladhouse Reservoir. From here, there was a clear view of the Forth estuary. At 14.20, the Observer Corps reported German aircraft over East Lothian and, shortly after this, Turnhouse ordered No. 602 Squadron’s Blue Section to scramble from Drem to investigate two unidentified aircraft over Tranent.

At 14.27, an anti-aircraft battery situated in Dalmeny Park at Barrhead reported three German aircraft flying up the Firth of Forth at 10,000 ft (3050 m).

At 14.30 Pinkerton, having found nothing over Tranent, was ordered to fly north to patrol over the Firth of Forth. At the same time, Spitfire fighters of No. 603 Squadron’s Red Section (led by Flight Lieutenant Pat Gifford) were scrambled with orders to fly to the east toward East Lothian.

Shortly before this, the first three Ju 88 bombers were overhead the area of the bridge at 12,140 ft (3700 m). Pohle could see the ship he thought to be Hood was in the confines of the dockyard. Turning his attention to the ships on the open water, he picked out one of the anchored cruisers, which he identified as Southampton, as his target and tipped into an 80º dive. As the aircraft descended, the top part of the cockpit enclosure broke away, taking the rearward-firing machine gun with it. Despite this, Pohle continued his attack, releasing his bombs at 1,805 ft (550 m). According to his own account, Pohle then turned toward the estuary’s northern shore, above which he planned to orbit and observe the second wave’s attack.

Meanwhile, Storp’s group arrived and began its attack at 14.38. As planned, the group had flown across the borders area before heading northward to the south of Roslin and over the Threipmuir Reservoir in the Pentland hills almost due south of the target area and the airfield at Turnhouse. Yellow Section of No. 603 Squadron, led by Flight Lieutenant George Denholm, had taken off at 14.35 and was climbing to altitude to intercept. Storp descended to 12,140 ft (3700 m) and decided to attack the ships beside the bridge. As his Ju 88 dived, Storp selected one of the cruisers as his target and at 2,395 ft (730 m) released his bombs in the belief that his intended target was Southampton. Storp was sure his bombs had hit the target and, along with the two other Ju 88 bombers of the second group, turned south hoping to fly the reciprocal route back to the North Sea. As Storp’s group tried to make its exit to the south, Pohle was orbiting low over Inverkeithing, No. 603 Squadron’s Red Section was positioned over Midlothian, No. 602 Squadron’s Blue Section was patrolling over the northern part of the estuary, and No. 603 Squadron’s Yellow Section was climbing to altitude from Turnhouse.

One of Yellow Section’s pilots saw three Ju 88 bombers to the north. This was probably the third group, which was the next to attack, but more immediately, at about 3,000 ft (910 m) and south of the airfield, were another three Ju 88 bombers, which were the aircraft of Storp’s group trying to escape. Yellow Section’s Spitfire fighters engaged the German bombers individually. The port engine of Storp’s aeroplane was rendered inoperative by fire from the Spitfire fighters, and one of the gunners was killed. Storp’s aeroplane was harried by Spitfire fighters and Storp knew he would not reach the North Sea. The fight continued over the Pentland hills to the south of Edinburgh. Since his aeroplane was of a type unknown to the RAF, Storp hoped to keep it out of British hands and decided to try to ditch in the estuary, where the aeroplane would sink.

Meanwhile, No. 603 Squadron’s Red Section was ordered to return to the west, but suddenly saw Storp’s damaged Ju 88 limping toward the sea and cut in behind it, taking turns to fire on it. The pilots of Red Section had not appreciated that the German bomber was already being pursued by Yellow Section, which was not a little upset to be 'cut out' by colleagues. The Ju 88 crashed into the sea off Prestonpans, the coup de grace being delivered by Gifford, who timed his attack as 14.45.

A small fishing boat, Dayspring, was not far from the crash site, and her captain, John Dickson, immediately picked up three injured German airmen. Kramer went down with the aeroplane. The Germans were returned to Cockenzie and delivered to local police.

No. 603 Squadron’s Red Section returned to Turnhouse.

When Storp’s group completed its attack, Pohle, still orbiting over Inverkeithing, turned to the east and made for the North Sea. He was intercepted by No. 602 Squadron’s Blue Section (Flight Lieutenant Pinkerton and Flying Officers McKellar and Paul Webb). Pinkerton spotted Storp about 3 miles (4.8 km) ahead, above some cloud. Before he could attack, his attention was distracted by a group of another three aircraft, Blackburn Sea Skua single-engined naval fighters on a training flight from the air base at Donibristle, one of a number of Fleet Air Arm airfields in the area. By the time Pinkerton’s attention had refocused on the Germans, Storp had disappeared into cloud and Webb had lost contact with his section mates. Pinkerton spotted the retiring Ju 88 bombers through a patch of cloud, and he and McKellar pursued it into clear skies farther to the east. Two of Pohle’s crew were killed in the attack, and the third was badly injured. The attacks also rendered the engines useless and Pohle had no option but to ditch his aeroplane off Crail. As with Storp’s ditching, there was a boat nearby which picked up the injured pilot and his gunner, who died on the following day, leaving Pohle the sole survivor of his crew. The exact time at which Pohle’s aeroplane came down in the water is unclear, but the Observer Corps logged the sound of firing at 14.43 in the general area of Elie, another small fishing village to the west of Crail. In his log book, Pinkerton noted the attack was carried out at 14.45/14.55, and the British fighters landed at 15.00.

At this time there were still two waves of Ju 88 bombers approaching the Firth of Forth. At 14.15, the third wave was reported to be crossing the coast at Dunbar. It continued flying to the west but eventually turned to the south toward the market town of Haddington. At the same time, six Spitfire fighters of No. 603 Squadron’s 'B' Flight were scrambled with orders to head to the east and patrol over North Berwick.

Three of No. 602 Squadron’s Spitfire fighters had landed at Leuchars to refuel. As they waited, several aircraft were spotted but were assumed to be Bristol Blenheim twin-engined light bombers, which resembled the Ju 88. The mistake was quickly corrected and it seems these were the three Ju 88 bombers of the fourth wave which had crossed the coast considerably farther to the north than their planned landfall at Berwick.

Thereafter, a series of running encounters took place during the rest of the afternoon. At 15.20, a Ju 88 was noted over the Firth and at 15.25, Mohawk being narrowly missed as bombs landed close enough to spray the destroyer with splinters, killing 13 ratings and two officers.

At 15.30, two Spitfire fighters, one each from Nos 602 and 603 Squadrons, found and pursued a Ju 88 over the Island of May. One of No. 603 Squadron’s pilots, Pilot Officer 'Robbie' Robertson, had taken off on his second sortie of the day at 15.40. To the north of Turnhouse and flying at about 300 ft (91 m), he found a Ju 88 on a southerly heading directly across No. 603 Squadron’s base. Anti-aircraft gunners held their fire for fear of damaging Robertson’s Spitfire, but at 16.00, 'Black' Morton, on his own initiative, took off in pursuit. The Ju 88 turned east, taking it across the centre of Edinburgh at low level, pursued by Robertson, while Morton made for Leith and Portobello, hoping to cut it off. Flying at low level across the city, Robertson held off from firing at the Ju 88 in case his rounds caused damage or injury on the ground. Eventually, the two British fighters met over Portobello and engaged the Ju 88. Stray rounds did cause damage to property and a painter was hit in the stomach but recovered.

Skirmishes continued but effectively the action was over.

At the time, the Luftwaffe recorded loss of two aircraft and the RAF none. Air Vice Marshal K. R. Park’s Fighter Command considered it a victory. After the war, it was discovered a third Ju 88 had been badly damaged and limped to the Netherlands, where it made a forced landing in which all the crew were killed. It is unknown how this aircraft was damaged, whether by fighters or anti-aircraft fire.

The two German aircraft shot down into the water were the first brought down in an attack against the British homeland. It is generally accepted that the Ju 88 flown by Storp and brought down by No. 603 Squadron was the first, although some believe that it was the aeroplane flown by Pohle and brought down by No. 602 Squadron which was the first. While Gifford and Pinkerton were credited with the destruction of these aircraft, others were involved.

As this was the first occasion in which the Luftwaffe had attempted an attack on a British target, it became the subject of great interest both in the UK and abroad. The RAF examined carefully the workings of the various systems employed. Questions were asked in Parliament regarding the lack of an air raid warning in Edinburgh and the battle was reported around the world in newspapers such as The New York Times.

While the battle was notable for the successes of the British airmen, the Luftwaffe was not without success. It caused significant damage to some of the ships, although none was sunk. Some 16 Royal Navy sailors died and 44 were injured. Mohawk received significant damage but managed to limp into the Rosyth base, her captain succumbing to his wounds once his ship was safe.

The captured German airmen were treated with courtesy and respect and their injuries received attention. Ultimately the men were shipped to Canada as prisoners of war. Those who had been killed and whose bodies were recovered were buried with full military honours.

The air battle over the Firth of Forth on 16 October was the first Luftwaffe attack on the British homeland. It was also the first occasion in World War II of German aircraft intruding into British airspace and being engaged by the RAF, the first occasion German aircraft were shot down in British airspace during the war, and also the first time a German aeroplane was brought down on British soil during the war.

It had sometimes been said that the aircraft carrying out the attacks on 16 October were He 111 machines. Some passengers on a train crossing the Forth railway bridge at the time of the attack believed that the bridge was a target. It is sometimes said that the He 111 brought down at Humbie on 28 October was taking part in the raid of 16 October 1939, but these two were entirely different episodes.