6 deadliest raids from the Blitz
The Blitz caused widespread devastation across the United Kingdom. Read on to learn about the deadliest Blitz raids across this period.
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Bombing campaigns were a large part of Nazi Germany’s strategy during World War II. The Blitz is the name given to the largest sustained campaign that targeted the United Kingdom.
Air superiority and bombing raids were one of the first steps in the German military strategy called ‘Blitzkrieg’. This is how Nazi Germany invaded other countries, including much of Europe, during World War II.
From September 1940 to May 1941, choice locations across the UK were routinely attacked, resulting in widespread destruction and over 40,000 civilian deaths. Read on to learn about the impact of some of the deadliest Blitz raids.
1. London – 10th May 1941
London suffered heavily during the Blitz, with multiple raids targeting the capital. The raid on London during the night of 10th May 1941 is considered one of the deadliest of the Blitz. Throughout the night, over 700 tons of bombs were dropped, destroying many parts of the city.
This raid had a few key targets. The first were important landmarks, such as the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. The second was general residential areas. The bombing resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 people, with another 1,792 seriously injured.
Fires consumed many parts of the city, with emergency services battling to control the flames. This led to some of the most famous photographs of the Blitz, such as St. Paul’s Cathedral standing tall above smoke and flames.
This was one of the final raids of the Blitz, as Nazi Germany redirected their focus towards Operation Barbarossa in the Soviet Union.
2. Coventry – 14th November 1940
The next deadliest raid is most likely the bombing of Coventry on the night of 14th November 1940. It was codenamed Moonlight Sonata by the Germans and aimed to cripple the city’s industrial capabilities.
Over 500 German bombers dropped around 500 tons of high explosives, and 30,000 incendiary bombs, which in turn caused a firestorm. The raid destroyed a key part of the city centre, including Coventry Cathedral – a medieval structure.
In the wake of this bombing, more than 550 people were killed and over 800 more were injured. This raid caused extensive damage to infrastructure and was one of the deadliest nights of the Blitz.
3. Bristol - 24th November 1940
On 24th November 1940, Bristol experienced its most devastating air raids. The city was an important strategic point for the UK due to its large industrial centre and port. The Luftwaffe sent 140 bombers that dropped more than 160 tons of explosives on the city.
This raid caused extensive, widespread damage, especially to central areas of Bristol. More than 200 people were killed in total, with 700 injured. The aftermath of this raid saw much of the city’s housing damaged or destroyed, leading to many displaced citizens. You can still see remnants of the devastation caused in Bristol today.
4. Liverpool - 3rd May 1941
Liverpool became another key target for the Luftwaffe because of its docks and high numbers of citizens. On 3rd May 1941, Liverpool suffered one of the worst nights of bombing during the Blitz. Dropping a mix of high explosives and incendiaries, the Luftwaffe caused huge destruction.
The raid led to the deaths of over 1,700 people with 1,000 more were injured. Liverpool’s docks, commercial buildings and residential areas suffered huge damage. The resilience of the city’s citizens in the aftermath of this raid became a symbol of the British spirit in the face of adversity.
5. Birmingham - 19th November 1940
Birmingham was another key target for Nazi Germany due to its industrial power. On the night of 19th November 1940, the city was forced to endure a severe attack. Hundreds of tons of explosives and incendiaries were dropped, leading to a massive loss of life and extensive damage to residential areas and factories.
The raid led to the death of 800 people, with upwards of 2,000 injured. Much of Birmingham’s infrastructure, including important arms production facilities, suffered major damages. In the wake of this raid, there was an effort to repair and continue production, showing the resilience of the British workforce to win the war.
6. Sheffield - 12th and 15th December 1940
Nazi Germany attempted to target many key infrastructure locations in the United Kingdom. Sheffield, with its massive steel production during the war, was heavily bombed during the nights of 12th and 15th December 1940.
Combined, these raids caused the deaths of over 660 people and left 1,500 injured. Industrial areas were a key focus, including important steelworks and armaments factories. The Luftwaffe also targeted residential areas, resulting in high rates of civilian casualties and damaging a massive 78,000 homes.
The end of the Blitz
The Blitz ended on 11th May 1941. The RAF had won the Battle of Britain, and the invasion of the country was postponed by Germany. While the raids outlined above were some of the most infamous during the campaign, many other areas of the country were also hit. Today, the Blitz stands as a reminder of the collective British spirit in the face of adversity.
