IT wasn't the first or the last, but it was one of the most famous bombs to hit Southampton in World War II.

On this day in 1944 the first V1 flying bomb, or 'doodlebug', landed in England.

Hitler's ''secret weapon'' hit a house in Southampton, killing three people.

Several more V1s were dropped on the city that year.

Recalling a raid on Sholing in July 1944, resident Brian Martin told how the "massive explosion" destroyed a dozen houses - and killed his budgie.

Mr Martin was in a shelter with his brother, Raymond, and mum Gladys.

Writing in 2004, he said: "We heard the strange misfiring sound of the bomb coming over. Suddenly it went silent, then there was a massive explosion which destroyed our house and about a dozen others in the road.

"The bomb fell in an orchard 1.8m from the shelter. I think we were saved by a blast wall outside the shelter door built by our grandfather the day before.

"After we were dug out we were amazed to see the house roof at such a strange angle. The bath was in an apple tree and several small fires were burning.

"Luckily no one lost their life except our budgie."

The houses were rebuilt after the war and the Martins moved back to the same spot.