On this day in 1940, the Luftwaffe inflicted upon Southampton the heaviest bombing raid of the town’s war so far. The bombers would return on 30 November and 1 December. These three night raids, with 1,600 bombs and 13,000 incendiaries, would change the face of Southampton forever. - ThreadSky

historicalsoton.bsky.social • 99 days ago

On this day in 1940, the Luftwaffe inflicted upon Southampton the heaviest bombing raid of the town’s war so far. The bombers would return on 30 November and 1 December. These three night raids, with 1,600 bombs and 13,000 incendiaries, would change the face of Southampton forever.

Comments

historicalsoton.bsky.social•99 days ago

214 people were killed in these three raids. 376 were severely injured and 326 slightly injured. 466 buildings were totally destroyed and 1,061 were damaged so badly they had to be demolished. 1,859 were seriously damaged and 5,936 slightly damaged. Thousands were made homeless.

walbury2024.bsky.social•99 days ago

According to my great aunt who lived there, when the up market shop Jones was bombed, fur coats were sent floating down the street. More horrifyingly there was a direct hit on an underground shelter. It must have been unspeakably awful.

historicalsoton.bsky.social•91 days ago

Yes, unimaginably horrific. Of the 137 fatal casualties during the 30 November / 1 December 1940 night raids, 96 were due to direct hits on shelters of various types. Just awful.

steveveets.bsky.social•89 days ago

My late Mum was a young girl in Southampton at this time. She would tell us stories of her Mum hiding her eyes when they were walking through town to school etc so they didn't see the horrible after effects of the bombing, very difficult times.