Bristol Blitz: 22 shocking photographs showing how german bombing destroyed the city
More than 1,000 Bristolians lost their lives during the Blitz
During the Second World War, Bristol sustained heavy bombing raids at the hands of Nazi Germany. Throughout 1940 and 1941, much of the city centre and its surrounding areas were obliterated by high explosive and incendiary bombs as the Luftwaffe targeted its docks and shipping yards.
In total, 1,299 people were killed due to the Blitz and 89,080 buildings were damaged including around 84,000 homes. Between November 24, 1940 and April 11, 1941 there were six major bombing raids with 548 air raid alerts and 77 air raids.
The damage would go on to shape the city as it was left to sieve through the ruins and rebuild itself after the war had been won. Among the most notable transformations is Bristol’s main shopping district, Broadmead. Pre-war, Castle Street was the shopping hub - a place where thousands would gather to spend their money. German bombing raids reduced almost every building in the district to rubble leading the council to create the Castle Park development we have today back in the 60s and create a shopping centre in Broadmead.
Here are 22 images showing the devastation caused during the Bristol Blitz:
1. Broadmead / Union Street
Jim Facey’s photograph shows Broadmead buildings ablaze after heavy bombing on November 24, 1940. Belfield’s Toy Shop on the corner with Union Street survived this raid before being destroyed in another the following April.
2. Colston Avenue
Firefighters work tirelessly to extinguish John Wright’s Printing Works after the Good Friday Air Raid on February 11, 1941. Across the road, the newly-built Electricity House survived the raid thanks partly to the netting draped over the building to make it hard for german bombers to spot.
3. Duke of Kent visits Castle Street
On February 5, the Duke of Kent visited the city to boost morale after the heavy bombing it had suffered. Here he is seen inspecting the ruins of the Woolworth’s store in the Castle Street shopping district. Just a handful of buildings in the area survived the Blitz though these were all cleared to make way for the Castle Park development in the 60s.
4. Union Street
Another victim of the November 24, 1940 raid, this photograph shows the destruction caused to Union Street as taken from the Odeon Cinema, which remains in use today.