Bristol Blitz

Bristol was the fifth most heavily bombed city of World War II. The presence of the Bristol Harbour and the Bristol Aeroplane Company made it a target for bombing by the German Luftwaffe who were able to trace a course up River Avon from Avonmouth using reflected moonlight into the heart of the city.^[1]

Between 24 November 1940 and 11 April 1941, there were six major bombing raids, which resulted in over 1,400 people killed and destruction of many of the buildings in the city centre.

First Raid

Hitler claimed that Bristol had been completely destroyed in a night raid on November 2, 1940 in which 5000 incendiary and 10.000 high explosive bombs were dropped on the old city. On November 24, the entire area that is now Castle Park was destroyed in another raid including the destruction of a 17th century timber framed Dutch House and St Peter’s Hospital. Four of the Churches in Bristol, St Peter’s, interior of St Nicholas, St Mary-le-Port and Temple were also damaged beyond repair.

The Lord Mayor of Bristol, Alderman Thomas Underwood, described the effect of the raids as being “The City of Churches had in one night become the city of ruins.”^[2]

Following Raids

The infamous Good Friday air raids caused further damage to the centre of the city, Knowle, Hotwells and Filton. The last air raid on Bristol was on April 25, 1941, when Brislington, Bedminster and Knowle were bombed. It is speculated that these suburbs were not the targets themselves but that bombs aimed for Filton were mistakenly dropped on other areas.^[3]

The last raid on Bristol was on May 15 1944.^[4]

Trivia

• Winston Churchill visited the ruins on April 12, 1941 and was abused by crowds due to rumours that the city’s air defences were improper.

References

External links

• Bristol Blitzed
• Bristol timeline
• Extracts from the Western Daily press 1940-1944
• [http://www.bristolreads.com/b&r_bristol_at_war.htm Bblography and Resources: Bristol at War}

World War II city bombing
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