Bomb pitsmoor ww2

[Daven]

On Fox Street ?

Sorry - I couldn't resist it !

[leanda46]

Thank you -wow that's a lot of bombs my research may take a little longer. If anyone ha any personal or family stories please share,you could give me a clue without knowing it. Thanks again

 

Hello hisbuff,

I was born on Marcus Street in 1943, and my father worked locally. On his birthday, 13 December, he left for work, despite pleas from my mother not to go, and as he turned into Fitzalan Street a bomb dropped during the night exploded as he was passing the Fitzalan Tavern. Bypassers told him later that he was seen running in midair at the level of the bedroom windows, and as he hit the ground, he set off running and ended up in the newsagent shop at the junction of Marcus Street and Rock Street. The bombed area was still derelict when the area was cleared as part of the slum clearance in the early 60's. Needless to say, he survived, otherwise I would be unable to share this with you.

[Huthwaitelas]

Does anyone have any info about this area being bombed in December 1941? I know of someone who died at this time, her family was told she died in the Blitz (I thought this was 1940) but perhaps it may have been a later air raid???

[stpetre]

Does anyone have any info about this area being bombed in December 1941? I know of someone who died at this time, her family was told she died in the Blitz (I thought this was 1940) but perhaps it may have been a later air raid???

 

Yes there were later air raids, although damaging and deadly but not as intense as the 'Blitz". Also years ago, there was a excellent book, that I can never locate, about air-raids on Britain, "They Only Came At Night'' The very title, to me, eerily foreboding!

Edited September 12, 2015 by stpetre
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[glennpickard]

Leanda46, glad to hear your Dad survived the attack ! It was n't his time.

 

According to most of the books I have, the Battle of Britain had an "Official" ending date of Sept 15 1940. Hitler, Goring & Co then turned their attention to Britain's cities, which became the Blitz. I believe about 45,000 people were killed as a direct result of these air attacks, which ran from October 1940 until June 1941, when those same people then turned their attention to attack Russia June 21. Most of the Blitz casualties were in London, another German mistake.

After June 1941 the Germans had the bulk of the Luftwaffe bombers tied up in attacking Russia, especially medium bombers. However they still conducted bombing flights to Britain, mostly at night, where accuracy was very difficult. These were not so much strategic, they were more of a "Nuisance" value, where Hitler especially believed he was terrorizing the civil population.

From what I can gather Sheffield had about 3 or 4 attacks by night. My mother and grandfather witnessed one (from Attercliffe), and there were casualties. I don't know where Marcus St, Fitzalan St or Rock St are in Sheffield ? Are they up by Fitzalan Square ?

I suspect you might get more detailed information from the Town hall's archives or possible the main library. If you get it could you pass on some of the detail through the Forum as I would like to see it ?

Thank you

[1960boy]

Rock Street is in Pitsmoor.

[kidley]

Marcus St, Fitzalan St or Rock St

 

all Pitsmoor glennpickard.

[Voldy]

Hi glenpickard,

Are you aware of the other website sheffieldhistory.co.uk which has a section devoted to 'Sheffield During the War' ? Plenty to read there!

[stpetre]

Marcus St, Fitzalan St or Rock St

 

all Pitsmoor glennpickard.

 

Yes Kidley, all three were in Pitsmoor but only Rock Street left. Perhaps it was their proximity to the old L.N.E.R. railway at Bridgehouses was why they were hit?

[glennpickard]

Hey Voldy;

no I was not aware of that website. But will check it out asap !

 

Thank you.