Isle of Wight village targeted by the Nazis on this day in 1943

Today (Thursday), Niton remains quiet and peaceful — just as it was before German bombers targeted the village on June 1, 1943.  

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In the midst of the Second World War, with the vast majority of Europe under Nazi occupation, Niton seemed far and safe from the spectre of armed conflict.

A poignant photo of St Catherine's Lighthouse taken by a Nazi bomber pilot seconds before it was hit, killing three lighthouse keepers and two soldiers. (Image: Niton Village Historical Group)

But on that fateful day, the war struck so much closer to home, as the Luftwaffe's bombs rained down on homes and businesses in the village, with devastating consequences.

Attending Niton Primary School, along with the rest of his chums, the day began just like any other day for Peter Osborn, aged ten at the time.

And then suddenly, out of the blue, all hell broke loose.

Peter, who still lives in Niton, celebrated his 90th birthday in March.

He remembers — vividly — the chaos of what happened during the air raid.

"One minute, me and my classmates were in the classroom, sat at our desks — the next, they were all laying on the floor, covered in dust and glass," said Peter.

"I remember the teacher shouting: 'Get under your desks. Don’t come out until we get the all clear.'"

Niton resident Peter Osborn, back right, aged ten (with sisters Jean and Enid and younger brother Brian), in 1943, when the bombs fell on the village. (Image: Niton Village Historical Group)

Peter Osborn today, aged 90. (Image: Andy Osborn)

One of the bombs had landed and exploded on a house just 20m from the school. 

The blast had blown out all its windows and those of the surrounding houses — and had thrown the children and teachers to the floor.

Thankfully, no one in the school was badly hurt.

However, one nearby resident, Mr. J. Jacobs, was killed, and his wife, badly injured, in their house on Institute Hill.

Their home took the brunt of that blast.

St Catherine’s Lighthouse also took a direct hit, with three Trinity House lighthouse keepers and two soldiers killed. The generator room took a direct hit.

The former Undercliff Hotel in Niton, taken before the Second World War, took a direct hit by bombs during the air raid and was subsequently demolished. (Image: Niton Village Historical Group)

The three keepers — William Jones, Richard Grenfell and Charles Tompkins — are buried together in a dedicated Trinity House grave, at St John’s Parish Church in Niton.

The nearby Undercliff Hotel, the HQ at the time for local army and RAF personnel, was also bombed. 

Two soldiers were killed, while one woman worker was buried in the rubble. She was later found alive and recovered from it. 

The hotel, a popular retreat for many years before the war, was subsequently demolished.

The graves of the three lighthouse keepers who were killed during a Nazi air raid on St Catherine's Lighthouse on June 1, 1943. (Image: Andy Osborn)

If such a terrible thing had happened today, it would make worldwide headlines, never mind in the County Press.

But in 1943, it may have occupied all but a meagre few column inches, due to reporting restrictions the government placed on the press at that time. 

The tragedy will be remembered during a special memorial service at Niton Parish Church on Sunday, at 9am, followed by the laying of flowers on the graves of the three lighthouse keepers.