The Sheffield Blitz killed and wounded over 2000 people in December 1940. The raids had a devastating impact on civilian life with hardly a suburb left unscathed and nearly a tenth of the city’s population made homeless.
The raids of December 12th and 15th flattened much of the city centre and is the reason for much of the sixties architecture that now dominates much of The Moor and Castlegate areas.
Though the raid caused death, horror and devastation across the entire city it only seemed to increase the resolve of the Sheffield people. Their defiance in the face of the raids was held up as an example to the whole nation by Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
On the eve of the 75th anniversary so much of this story is now lost.
When the BBC turned Neil Anderson’s ‘Sheffield Date With Hitler’ book into a documentary they called it, ‘Sheffield The Forgotten Blitz’. Look around the city today and there is virtually nothing to commemorate the attacks and mark the incredible sacrifices by the people of the city.
Our project aims to change that forever.
We are presently in the final stages of putting together a Heritage Lottery Grant application to fund a major part of the project but we need to demonstate we have the backing of the Sheffield public and raise funds of our own.
This is YOUR chance to be a part of it or a chance to leave a permanent memorial to a member of your own family that was affected, lost or played a key part in Sheffield Blitz..
You can read about our project here: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/group-behind-sheffield-blitz-project-appeal-for-backing-1-7157811
We’ve also got a Facebook page so you can find out more about what we’re planning:https://www.facebook.com/SheffieldBlitz75th
We’ve been working on this project for the past four years and have already received donations from Peter Stringfellow, Horrible Histories’ creator Terry Deary, The Moor, Atkinsons and scores of individuals.
We’re working in partnership with Sheffield City Council, The Star, Sheffield College, The National Emergency Services Museum, Sheffield 50 Plus, Sheffield Galleries and Museums Trust, Operation Crucible and South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum.