In researching the Battle of Britain and wartime era in Liverpool, I’ve found several great stories of note. Whilst not connected to the twelve pilots this site’s concerned with, I feel sure they’ll be appreciated by anyone with an interest in the Merseyside Few.
A safebreaker languishing in a Jersey prison cell at the time of the Nazi occupation, Eddie Chapman was recruited by the Germans to be a saboteur. Parachuted into England, he turned double agent, passing through Liverpool on his way back out to Germany.
As it takes off from Speke on 10 October 1940, a Hurricane shoots down a Ju88 coming in to attack the Rootes aircraft factory next to the airfield. Taking eleven minutes from take-off to landing, this incident is known as the fastest kill of the war.
Rumour persists that Hitler spent some time living in Liverpool. It is certain that Hitler’s half-brother lived in Toxteth with his Irish wife Bridget, and their son William Patrick was born and grew up in Liverpool.
For a surname borne of a transcription error and which only existed for three generations, it’s remarkable there were any outside of Austria. Certainly, the thought of a little scouser called Billy Hitler can make anyone laugh. And as for Adolf visiting? Find out more in Mike Royden’s meticulous research.
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