Exeter Blitz
On the night of 3rd -4th of may 1942, Exeter suffered its most destructive air raid of the second world war. 160 high explosive bombs and 10,000 incendiary devices were dropped on the city. This damage was going to change Exeter for ever.Overall Exeter suffered 19 air raids between August 1940 and May 1942.
The first bombing on St Thomas, Exeter in the Second World War, was on 7th August 1940. It was an innocuous affair and reported thus:
"Five bombs fell on a south west town on Wednesday night. Little damage was done to property, and the only casualties were a middle aged man who was able to walk to a first aid post, a canary which died from shock and a few chickens." Express and Echo 9th August 1940.
The first bombing on St Thomas, Exeter in the Second World War, was on 7th August 1940. It was an innocuous affair and reported thus:
"Five bombs fell on a south west town on Wednesday night. Little damage was done to property, and the only casualties were a middle aged man who was able to walk to a first aid post, a canary which died from shock and a few chickens." Express and Echo 9th August 1940.
What did the raids do to Exeter?
•The 19 raids destroyed 1,500 out of 20,000 houses with 2,700 seriously damaged and the majority of the remaining 16.000 sustained some damage. 265 were killed with 11 people seriously injured while 677 were injured but to a lesser extent, many of them were buried in a mass grave in Higher cemetery. A huge part of the shopping area was destroyed with 150 officers, over 5o warehouses and stores and 36 clubs and bars. Replacing this massive damage took 20 years to repair the main areas in the city. The queen came to visit the cathedral to see the damage.
For the firefighters, firewatchers, police, Home Guard and ambulance crews, it was far from over. The fires were spreading through the ancient, largely plaster and lath buildings, causing fronts to collapse into the road - in South Street, collapsing buildings ignited shops on the opposite side and many businesses went up in flames.
For the firefighters, firewatchers, police, Home Guard and ambulance crews, it was far from over. The fires were spreading through the ancient, largely plaster and lath buildings, causing fronts to collapse into the road - in South Street, collapsing buildings ignited shops on the opposite side and many businesses went up in flames.
Ronald Hawkins Story
In April 1942 on a Friday night the first major bombing raid took place. My family was hiding under the stairs because we could hear the bomber coming. A bomb landed to the left of the house blowing a side of it away. The family were buried up to their necks. It was very frightening for the family. The house was uninhabitable so we stayed at a friend’s house. The city council had to arrange new permanent accommodation. The next raid was a Sunday night in May. The middle of Exeter was bombed and lots of shops and houses were totally destroyed. Another raid hit the cathedral on a Friday night. It took one of the cathedral’s wings. The following Sunday my father left the house to report for duty and he was away for ten days and didn’t come home because of the amount of deaths in the raids. My mother and I walked from Fore Street to St Sidwell's fountain and the streets were full of rubble. All of the buildings were destroyed. Four cinemas were destroyed. Quite a lot of people had moved out to more rural areas
The first bombing on St Thomas, Exeter in the Second World War, was on 7th August 1940. It was an innocuous affair and reported thus:
"Five bombs fell on a south west town on Wednesday night. Little damage was done to property, and the only casualties were a middle aged man who was able to walk to a first aid post, a canary which died from shock and a few chickens." Express and Echo 9th August 1940.
"Five bombs fell on a south west town on Wednesday night. Little damage was done to property, and the only casualties were a middle aged man who was able to walk to a first aid post, a canary which died from shock and a few chickens." Express and Echo 9th August 1940.