Sheffield hosts exhibition showcasing World War Two bombing

Sheffield Blitz, 1940. Devastation in Sheffield city centre.
Sheffield Blitz, 1940. Devastation in Sheffield city centre.

The English city of Sheffield has opened a permanent exhibition to commemorate the Second World War bombing that occurred over two nights in December 1940, wounding and killing more than 2,000 people.

A portrayal of life at that time, including recordings of the raids, has been shown at the National Emergency Services Museum.

It was opened by Doug Lightning, 98, who was a firefighter during the bombing attacks.

Writer and historian Neil Anderson started the movement to have the exhibition.  He said he was motivated after he found a journal written by his late grandmother about life in the wartime city.

It made him aware of how little there is to see in Sheffield to memorialize it, Anderson said. Nearly a tenth of the city population was left homeless. He thought there should be more to see to symbolize the attacks, BBC News reported.

The exhibition showcases World War Two bomb shelters and a fire engine and other tools used to fight the fires during the raids.

Ian Harvey

Ian Harvey is one of the authors writing for WAR HISTORY ONLINE