Sheffield suffered from repeated enemy aerial attacks in both World Wars.  The “Sheffield Blitz” is the term used to describe two nights of sustained bombing in December 1940;  the Zeppelin raid in September 1916 is less remembered.  Both incidents are a focus for local remembrance, and the memory of those who died and those who endured deserves to be kept alive by successive generations.

There are physical memorials, ranging from Sheffield’s official monument in Barker’s Pool to plaques in churches, schools and factories all over the city.

Sheffield Libraries & Archives and Sheffield Museums have voluminous collections of material relating to the impact of both World Wars – books, photographs, documents and museum exhibits to provide a tangible link with terrible events that changed the city for ever.

History:

• Sheffield in the First and Second World Wars
• events of September 1916
• events of December 1940
• personal narratives – eg, It’s a Bit Lively Outside, Women of Steel
• newspaper coverage

Geography:

• damage distribution, 1916 and 1940
• effect on post-war planning – ring roads, housing, boundary extension

Field-work opportunities:

• National Emergency Services Museum
• Sheffield Blitz Heritage Trail