At airfields in France, the Luftwaffe were planning an attack on Belfast. Reconnaissance missions had flown over Belfast since July 1940 over Belfast to identify targets for any potential raid. Belfast contained many important industrial and military targets: James Mackie…
In the Belfast Telegraph, it was announced that the Ulster Government had decided that ‘in the interests of the war effort’ that people should only take a short break over the Easter period (11 April was Good Friday).[1] Many doubted…
In the Belfast Telegraph and Northern Whig, letters appeared supporting Professor Theodore Thomson Flynn call for more volunteers to join the Air Raid Precaution (ARP) warden.[1] ‘Senior Warden’ in the Belfast Telegraph ARP warden should be exempt from fire watching as…
In 1941, the people of Belfast were subject to food rationing. The food supply was limited and the aim was to share it equally among everyone and ensure everyone remained as healthy as possible and contribute to the war effort.…
The newspapers reported that the Westminster Government attempt to open theatres on Sundays had been defeated.[1] It was also reported that two soldiers had been sent to prison for theft. Joseph Cunningham was sent sentenced for three years. Rifleman John…
On this day, the concerns of many Belfast citizens and their leaders were anywhere but the war. In the House of Commons, Reverend Dr James Little, MP for Down, opposed a government regulation that opened cinemas and places of entertainment for soldiers…
Elisabeth McCullough was a Belfast school girl aged 13 living in East Belfast. During 1941, she kept a diary of events. On 31 March 1941, she wrote a short entry: ‘Did lessons We sunk three Italian cruisers and two destroyers…
Life in Belfast continued for many as it had done for much of the interwar period. People went about their daily business without much regard for the war. Doreen Bates, a tax official, had moved to Belfast from London. Since…
BELFAST By 29 March the German Blitz against British cities had been running for nearly seven months. Many had expected a raid by none had come. On Thursday 13th March 1941, over 200 bombed Clydeside in Glasgow, slightly further north…
[Press release put out today, 28.3.22] As Belfast commemorates the 81st anniversary of the Blitz, a local historian uncovers previously little-known stories behind the air raids. The bombing is arguably the biggest single disaster in the city’s 400-year history. But…
