Belfast Blitz

The Belfast Blitz was the name given to a series of devastating aerial attacks on Northern Ireland's capital by the German Luftwaffe in April and May 1941.

Bombs on Belfast

The Belfast Blitz was a series of 4 Luftwaffe air raids over the city of Belfast, Co. Antrim in April and May 1941. Luftwaffe pilots had identified strategic targets across the Northern Ireland capital.

These reconnaissance flights had taken place as early as November 1940. As well as industrial and military targets, residential areas suffered. The effects of the devastation caused by German bombs would last for many years to come.

Belfast Blitz: A viable Luftwaffe target

Belfast Blitz: A viable Luftwaffe target

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30th November 2017

On 30th November 1940, a German plane flew a solo reconnaissance flight over Belfast, Co. Antrim proving the city to be an under-defended Luftwaffe target.

Belfast Blitz: Sheila the Elephant

Belfast Blitz: Sheila the Elephant

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7th March 2018

In 1941, as the Belfast Blitz unfolded, a remarkable story was taking place at Belfast Zoo. This is the story of Sheila the Elephant and her keeper Denise.

The Belfast Blitz of 1941

On 7th April 1941, the first Nazi Luftwaffe bombs fell on Belfast. They ravaged the shipyards and docks but much worse was to come later that month.

Featured image for Belfast Blitz: The Docks Raid

Belfast Blitz: The Docks Raid

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7th March 2018

The Belfast Blitz was the name given to a series of Luftwaffe raids on Northern Ireland in 1941. The Docks Raid came on the night of 7th-8th April 1941.

Featured image for Belfast Blitz: The Easter Raid

Belfast Blitz: The Easter Raid

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7th March 2018

On 15th-16th April 1941, the capital of Northern Ireland came under ferocious attack from the Luftwaffe as the city endured The Easter Raid of the Belfast Blitz.

Featured image for Belfast Blitz: The Fire Raid

Belfast Blitz: The Fire Raid

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5th March 2018

On the night of 4th-5th May 1941, Luftwaffe bombers wreaked havoc across much of north, east, and central Belfast in what became known as The Fire Raid.

Devastation across the City

Featured image for Belfast Blitz: Bombs on Belfast City Centre

Belfast Blitz: Bombs on Belfast City Centre

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6th February 2019

In April and May 1941, Luftwaffe bombs on Belfast City Centre tore the heart out of the industrial city in what would become known as the Belfast Blitz.

Featured image for Belfast Blitz: Bombs on North Belfast

Belfast Blitz: Bombs on North Belfast

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6th February 2019

In the Belfast Blitz raids of 1941, Luftwaffe bombs on North Belfast caused widespread devastation and loss of life among both Protestants and Catholics.

Featured image for Belfast Blitz: Bombs on East Belfast

Belfast Blitz: Bombs on East Belfast

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6th February 2019

Luftwaffe bombs on East Belfast fell on the industrial heart of the city and surrounding residential areas during the Belfast Blitz of April and May 1941.

The Blitz on A Wee Bit Of War

Yes! We Have No Bananas

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6th May 2022

'Yes! We Have No Bananas' is a series of stories and reminisces of 24 people who experienced life during the Second World War in Northern Ireland.

A second contingent of the United States Army arrives in Northern Ireland

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2nd March 2022

On 2nd March 1942, the second contingent of U.S. Army troops arrived at Belfast Docks in Northern Ireland joining those who arrived some weeks earlier.

Featured image for Oscar, the luckiest cat in wartime Northern Ireland

Oscar, the luckiest cat in wartime Northern Ireland

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5th July 2021

Oscar, a little black and white cat, survived the sinking of Bismarck, H.M.S. Cossack, and H.M.S. Ark Royal before finding fame in a sailors' home in Ulster.

Guardsman Samuel Quigley of 2nd Battalion Irish Guards

Samuel Quigley

Guardsman

Samuel Quigley of Muckamore, Co. Antrim served in 2nd Battalion Irish Guards. He met his wife Freda in unusual circumstances during the Second World War.

Map showing Whitespots Leadmines, Conlig, Co. Down

Whitespots Leadmines, Conlig, Co. Down

The Old Leadmines, Conlig, Co. Down

In April 1941, a total of 70 competitors from the military took part in rigorous off-road motorcycle trials around the old Whitespots Leadmines.

Map showing Conlig, Co. Down during the Second World War

Conlig, Co. Down during the Second World War

Co. Down

During the Second World War, rough terrain motorcycle trials and training exercises took place around the disused leadmines near Conlig, Co. Down.

Bristol Beaufort AW277 crash on Colin Mountain, Co. Antrim

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29th March 2021

At around 0400hrs on 29th March 1943, Bristol Beaufort AW277 came down on Colin Mountain, Co. Antrim killing 4 crew members of No. 5 O.T.U.

Map showing St. Patrick’s Barracks, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

St. Patrick’s Barracks, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Demesne Avenue, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

From November 1942 - December 1943, the British Army's General Service Corps No. 12 Primary Training Centre was at St. Patrick's Barracks, Ballymena, Co. Antrim.

Map showing Army Salvage Depot, Doagh, Co. Antrim

Army Salvage Depot, Doagh, Co. Antrim

Mill Road, Doagh, Co. Anrim

During the Second World War, the Army Salvage Depot in Doagh, Co. Antrim operated from the site of the railway station that had lain unused since 1930.

Map showing Dunmore Park Barracks, Ashfield Crescent, Belfast

Dunmore Park Barracks, Ashfield Crescent, Belfast

Ashfield Crescent, Belfast

During the Second World War, the Dunmore Park Barracks in North Belfast was a base for Home Defence Battalions of the Royal Ulster Rifles.

Map showing Wartime Lough Neagh

Wartime Lough Neagh

During the Second World War, Lough Neagh was a valuable asset for the military in Northern Ireland who used the waters for training purposes.

Featured image for “Red Army Day” celebrations on the streets of Belfast

“Red Army Day” celebrations on the streets of Belfast

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20th February 2021

On 20th February 1943, the people of Belfast commemorated "Red Army Day" with a large military parade through the city attended by dignitaries.

Researching the Belfast Blitz

The Aftermath

Recommended Reading

Featured image for A Nurse in the Belfast Blitz : The Diary of Emma Duffin 1939-42

A Nurse in the Belfast Blitz : The Diary of Emma Duffin 1939-42

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9th April 2020

Emma Duffin was a nurse who saw service in both World Wars and wrote in great detail in journals during this time. This is her account of wartime Belfast.

Featured image for Bombs on Belfast: The Blitz 1941

Bombs on Belfast: The Blitz 1941

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10th April 2020

'Bombs on Belfast: The Blitz 1941' presents a collection of photographs from the Belfast Telegraph archives offering an insight into city life in 1941.

Featured image for Post 381

Post 381

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6th April 2020

'Post 381' is the Second World War memoirs of James Doherty, a volunteer Air Raid Warden in North Belfast during the Belfast Blitz of April and May 1941.

Featured image for The Belfast Blitz: The City In The War Years

The Belfast Blitz: The City In The War Years

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7th April 2020

'The Belfast Blitz: The City In The War Years' is the most comprehensive work on the period of the attacks during the Belfast Blitz of April and May 1941.

Featured image for The Belfast Blitz: The People’s Story

The Belfast Blitz: The People’s Story

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8th April 2020

Stephen Douds uses diaries, memoirs, newspapers, and eyewitness accounts to retell the story 'The Belfast Blitz: The People's Story' of the events of 1941.