Soldiers brought in to Coventry to help with the clear up following the heavy German air

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Soldiers brought in to Coventry to help with the clear up following the heavy German air

Soldiers brought in to Coventry to help with the clear up following the heavy German air raid of the 14th November 1940. During the raid 4, 330 homes were destroyed also three-quarters of the citys factories were damaged along with the citys tram system. Out of a fleet of 181 buses only 73 remained. Most of the citys gas and water pipes were smashed and people were advised to boil emergency supplies of water. Amongst the devastation lay the bodies of 554 men, women and children many of whom were never identified also 865 people were injured. During the raid the Luftwaffe had dropped 30, 000 incendiary bombs, 500 tons of high explosive, 50 landmines and 20 oil-mines. The raid had gone on non-stop for almost eleven hours. The world had never previously witnessed this sort of airborne destruction before and the Germans coined a new word for it coventrated.
18th November 1940

Staff
Birmingham Post and Mail
Mirrorpix
Coventry
England

Media ID 21567536

© Mirrorpix

Blitz Operation Moolight Sonata Rubble Tin Helmets Wreckage Air Raid Pickaxes

FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS

> Historic > World War I and II > Soldiers

> Memory Lane Prints > Mirror > 0200to0299 > 00263

EDITORS COMMENTS
Soldiers Unite to Rebuild: Coventry's Resilience Amidst Devastation". In this poignant photo print, we witness the aftermath of the catastrophic German air raid on November 14th, 1940. As darkness engulfed Coventry during those harrowing eleven hours, the city was forever changed. The relentless bombardment unleashed by the Luftwaffe left a trail of destruction that defied imagination. Now, amidst the ruins and rubble lies a glimmer of hope as soldiers from across Britain converge upon Coventry to aid in its recovery. Clad in their tin helmets and armed with pickaxes, these brave men embody resilience and determination. They are not only here to clear away debris but also to mend shattered spirits. The scale of devastation is staggering - over 4,330 homes destroyed, three-quarters of factories damaged beyond recognition, and even the once bustling tram system reduced to ruin. Only remnants remain from a fleet of 181 buses that once traversed these streets. Yet amidst this chaos lie stories untold - bodies numbering 554 lay amongst the wreckage; lives lost but never identified. A further 865 people were injured during this merciless assault on civilian life. Coined by our adversaries as "coventrated" this airborne destruction had no precedent in history. However, it did not break Coventry's spirit nor dampen its resolve for rebirth. This powerful image captures both tragedy and unity – soldiers working tirelessly alongside civilians to rebuild what was lost. It serves as an enduring testament to humanity's indomitable spirit when faced with adversity – reminding us all that even amidst darkness there is always room for hope.

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