Nottingham Blitz facts for kids
The Nottingham Blitz was a big air raid by German planes (the Luftwaffe) on Nottingham during World War II. It happened on the night of May 8–9, 1941.
Contents
Getting Ready for Attacks
Nottingham was really prepared for air raids. It was the first city in Britain to set up an "Air Raid Precautions" (ARP) system. This was thanks to Captain Athelstan Popkess, the police chief. The city had special zones, control centers, and many extra fire stations ready.
Many public air raid shelters were built. For example, the John Player & Sons tobacco company built a huge network of tunnels. These tunnels could protect about 5,000 of their workers during an attack.
Confusing the Enemy
On the night of May 8–9, the German planes were aiming for Nottingham and Derby. However, British defenses detected their special navigation beams (called X-Gerät). Radio counter-measures were used to trick the planes, sending them off course. Many bombs meant for Nottingham were dropped on empty farmland instead, especially near Cropwell Butler. This was thanks to a "Starfish" decoy system, which created fake fires to fool the bombers.
The Main Attack
More than 100 bombers attacked Nottingham that night. Emergency services had to deal with 97 fires. Records show that 12 fires were very serious, 40 were major, and 42 were medium. Firefighters often put out fires started by small bombs before they could spread.
Firefighters bravely put out a fire at St Mary's Church, Nottingham. An incendiary bomb (a bomb designed to start fires) had burned through the roof. They used a special ladder on High Pavement to spray water onto the roof. The vicar of St. Mary's, Neville Stuart Talbot, later wrote about the attack:
We had a visitation - nothing compared with some places, but still a very real taste. Began about twelve. We had gone to bed, and tried to believe that the explosions were our guns, but soon one and then another were unmistakable - one was not far off down Friar's Lane. Peering out of the top window, I soon realised that big fires had been started, so, there being a lull, I went down. I found a fire going in the South Transept of the Church. It took a long time really to put it out.
There were also big fires at Trivett's Building near St. Mary's Church, in Short Hill, and at three of the Boots' factories.
Buildings Hit
Many buildings in Nottingham were either destroyed or damaged during the Blitz.
Buildings Destroyed
- St. John the Baptist's Church, Leenside, Nottingham: This church was so badly damaged that its remains were taken down after the war.
- St. Christopher's Church, Sneinton: This church was rebuilt by 1952.
- Stadium Hotel, Parliament Street
Buildings Damaged
- St. Mary's Church, Nottingham
- Nottingham Masonic Hall
- University College Nottingham
- Shakespeare Street Wesleyan Reform Chapel
- Moot Hall, Friar Lane
People Affected
The Nottingham Blitz caused many casualties. A total of 159 people were killed, and 274 were injured.
At the Co-op bakery on Meadow Lane, 49 employees and members of the British Home Guard lost their lives. Another 20 people were injured there. At University College, 45 people were killed.
Other Air Raids
The Nottingham Evening Post reported on May 17, 1945, that Nottingham was attacked 11 times in total during the war. Across all these raids, 178 people were killed and 350 were injured. In total, 479 high explosive bombs were dropped on the city.
