The fall of France to the advancing German army in the spring of 1940 put Plymouth in the 'frontline' as a target for the German bombers. The large Naval Dockyard at Devonport and the presence of the Air Force and Army in the city made it a prime target for Hitler's Luftwaffe. The people of Plymouth experienced their first air raid alert at 12.45am on 30 June 1940.
The first bombs fell in Plymouth just before midday on Saturday 6 July 1940, landing on a block of eight Corporation houses in Swilly Road, destroying three of them, and damaging two others beyond repair. These bombs also claimed the first civilian casualties in the city, killing a 33 year old woman, a 58 year old man and a 13 year old boy. These were the first of many.
The heaviest bombing of the city occurred over seven nights in March and April 1941, commonly known as the Blitz (named after the German word Blitzkrieg, meaning 'Lightning War'). During these seven nights alone, over 6000 general purpose bombs and 205,000 incendiary bombs were dropped on the city. Between July 1940 and April 1944, the people of Plymouth experienced 602 alerts and 59 bombing raids.
The city experienced mass devastation resulting in the deaths of 1174 civilians. A further 3209 were injured. More than 4000 properties were completely destroyed with a further 18,000 damaged.
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| Plymouth City Centre, c1941 © Plymouth City Council Arts and Heritage | Plymouth City Centre, c1941 © Plymouth City Council Arts and Heritage |