This fine overhead view obtained from the road bridge at the Western end of the station shows Newton Abbot station to advantage , in particular the down through road and its adjacent trackwork which were so badly damaged on the evening of Tuesday , 20th. August , 1940 when two German bombers accompanied by a fighter attacked the station and Motive Power Depot . Both bombers dropped five bombs each , six of which landed either within the station or in the Depot yards causing severe damage within the area of the Motive Power Depot and the station, particularly on the down side shown here. The fighter then machine gunned the area , putting a large number of holes in Laira's 6010 King Charles I which was on shed and badly injuring Driver Palmer and Fireman French. A number of other engines were also damaged , particularly 6801 , Ayleburton Grange , believed to be a Penzance engine , and 5915 Trentham Hall together with several smaller locomotives , 6010 later going to Swindon Works between October and December 1940 , presumably for repair to the damage sustained . Sadly , fourteen persons lost their lives as a result of that evening's attack , including four Railway employees.