The Blitz 1941.
Belfast was an important centre for the manufacture of munitions during WW2.
Harland and Wolff built 140 warships, including 6 aircraft carriers.
Short and Harland delivered 1,200 Sterling bombers and 125 Sunderland flying boats.
Factories turned out millions of shells and uniforms.
It was inevitable that Belfast would come under enemy attack. Three air raids
were carried out by the Luftwaffe in 1941.
The first raid on 7/8 April 1941 by 8 bombers destroyed the aircraft fuselage
factory and damaged the docks.
The second raid on Easter Tuesday 15/16 April 1941 by 180 bombers lasted 5 hours. 673 bombs and 29,000 incendiaries fell mainly on residential areas
in the docklands.
The third raid on 4/5 May 1941 by 204 bombers lasted 3 hours. Some 237
tons of high explosive and 96,000 incendiaries fell on the city and the docks.
Belfast was not prepared for these attacks. There were insufficient anti-aircraft guns and shelters. The results were devastating. One thousand people died
and half the housing stock was damaged.
The large bronze relief is a permanent memorial to those who died in the Blitz.
The ceramic artwork on the exterior curved wall depicts falling bombs
transforming into flax flowers. The bombs relate to the Blitz and allude to
the poppies falling from the ceilings at Festivals of Remembrance.
The flax flowers record the Dig for Victory campaign which encouraged the
growth of flax. They also symbolise the resilience of the people in war and
their determination to flourish after the devastation.
