Blitz of Plymouth 1940-44

This book explores the devastation caused in Plymouth by the Blitz during World War II.

The first alert was sounded over Plymouth on 30th June 1940, and the last occurred on 30th April 1944; in all there were 602. On fifty-nine occasions, bombs fell in or around the city area causing the following casualties: Civilians killed, 1,172, civilians seriously injured, 1,092, civilians slightly injured, 2,177, civilians missing and believed killed, 7. These figures do not include service personnel. In 2024, 80 years after the last raid, an unexploded bomb was discovered in Plymouth. Even after all this time, the city is still recovering from the aftereffects of World War II.

This book was originally published 40 years after the end of the Blitz. 40 years later we are pleased to be republishing it not to celebrate, but to commemorate and remember those lost.

This revised edition contains extra information about the author in recognition of his service to the local history of Plymouth and the surrounding areas.