Memel Street in East Belfast once stood in what has for many years been vacant ground at Bridge End in the city. All that remains is the old railway arch to mark where many terraced streets once stood.
On 4th-5th May 1941, this area of Belfast, not far from the works at Harland and Wolff Shipyard came under attack from the Luftwaffe. This would go down in history as The Fire Raid of the Belfast Blitz.
While much of the city centre and east end burned, a high explosive bomb hit a public air raid shelter. The force of the blast decimated the brick and concrete construction. Such was the devastation caused, that rescuers and dockworkers spent more than a week digging through the rubble. It was then they found the first of 13 bodies, all casualties of the Belfast Blitz.
Places of Interest
The following places will be of interest to anyone wishing to explore more of the area's Second World War heritage.