In June of 1944 the Germans started sending V1 flying bombs to London. They were given the nickname 'doodlebugs' or 'buzz bombs' due to their distinctive sound. Doodlebugs were essentially a bomb with wings that kept flying until they ran out of fuel. At this point they fell to the ground and exploded. Dartford was heavily bombed because German aircraft following the River Thames towards their London target would drop remaining bombs on the way back.
On Sunday 6th August 1944 a Doodlebug fell on Carrington Road killing 10 people and injuring a further 107. A total of 20 homes were destroyed while as many as 700 were damaged. A blue plaque commemorates this tragedy.
Sources:
KentOnline- Plaque unveiled in Carrington Road, Dartford marking point where Second World War 'doodlebug' bomb dropped
IWM- The Terrifying German 'Revenge Weapons' of the Second World War
My mother's family the Wilkinsons lived in Carrington Road, her younger brother saw the V1 collide with the barrage balloon cables which brought it down. Both my mother and grandmother were injured in the subsequent blast.
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