The Belfast Blitz

Although German troops never invaded Britain or Northern Ireland, the first terrifying air raid took place on 8th April 1941. The Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast was badly damaged.

One week later, 180 bombers attacked Belfast again. Over 900 people were killed and 1500 injured. No other city in Britain, except London, lost so many of its people in one attack. These air raids were known as the Blitz. Bombs also fell on parts of Bangor, Newtownards and Londonderry.

With the third and final raid on 4th May 1941, half the houses in Belfast had been badly damaged. As a result of these raids, 100 000 people left the city and headed for the safety of the countryside and to safer areas such as Fermanagh.