Portsmouth marks 80th anniversary of devastating WW2 bombing raid

The 80th anniversary of a devastating WW2 air raid on Portsmouth is being commemorated.

172 people were killed and hundreds more injured or made homeless.

The attack took place from 5.00pm on 10 January 1941 and into the early hours of 11 January.

Thousands of bombs were dropped by the Luftwaffe during the largest air raid on the city during the war.

During the Blitz, 930 people were killed in Portsmouth and 2,837 were injured.

Over 6,000 properties were destroyed.

Although the city is not able to hold events like it has done for previous anniversaries, Portsmouth City Council has arranged several activities digitally to mark the occasion.

An interactive map allowing residents to see exactly where all of the bombs during the Blitz landed in and around the city.

Entries from the air raid controller's log book from the night of 10 -11 January, posted on social media at the exact time that they happened 80 years ago, and eye witness accounts from those who witnessed the air raid.

A video from the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Cllr Rob Wood on Monday 11 January, reciting the message shared by his predecessor in 1941, shortly after the raid.

Cllr Steve Pitt, said: "This is a very different anniversary to the kind we have had in previous years, but we felt it important to reflect and remember a very significant event in the city's history, especially with the current restrictions and ongoing impact of Covid-19.

"The eyewitness accounts and log book entries for the evening provide an insight into the timeline of the air raid, but it is the interactive map and the extensive locations of bomb sites between 1941 and 1944 that is so startling."

Sheila Duce, who lived in Eastney during the raid, said: "You heard the screaming of the bombs coming down and the awful explosions, and you were just so thankful you know, that it wasn't on top of us."

John Stedman, records manager at Portsmouth History Centre said: "The bombing on the night of 10/11 January 1941 was Portsmouth's grimmest experience in a long and terrible war, changing the face of the city dramatically and suddenly.

"The survivors found large parts of Portsea, Landport and Southsea were smoking ruins.

"The Guildhall, six churches, a hospital, three cinemas and most of the Commercial Road, King's Road and Palmerston Road shopping centres were all damaged by the raid."

Activities to mark the 80th anniversary of the air raid will be shared on the social media channels of Portsmouth City Museum and Portsmouth Libraries.