A semi-detached house is levelled by bombing in 1941 with just its guttering surviving.A semi-detached house is levelled by bombing in 1941 with just its guttering surviving.
A semi-detached house is levelled by bombing in 1941 with just its guttering surviving. | jpimedia

The Second World War bombing raids which brought death and terror to Leeds

By Andrew Hutchinson
Published 5th May 2020, 06:00 BST
Updated 11th May 2020, 08:21 BST

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They proved to be some of the darkest hours in the city’s history.

There were nine bombing raids on Leeds during the Second World War resulting in 77 fatalities. The night of Friday, March 14, 1941, proved to be the most devastating bombing raid by the German Luftwaffe. These photos tell the story of how bombing raids brought Leeds to its knees and how your city bounced back. READ MORE: Leeds residents urged to play their part in 75th anniversary of VE Day from home LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

A semi-detached house is levelled by bombing in 1941 with just its guttering surviving.

. Leeds in the 1940s

A semi-detached house is levelled by bombing in 1941 with just its guttering surviving. | jpimedia

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By the dawn of 1941, several British cities had already suffered horrific damage and huge loss of life in bombing raids.

. Leeds bombing raids

By the dawn of 1941, several British cities had already suffered horrific damage and huge loss of life in bombing raids. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Lewis's on The Headrow where a brick wall has been built over the entrance with access gained from the sides, to help prevent bomb damage. In the centre are black and white painted, for blackout visibility, static water tanks.

. Leeds bombing raids

Lewis's on The Headrow where a brick wall has been built over the entrance with access gained from the sides, to help prevent bomb damage. In the centre are black and white painted, for blackout visibility, static water tanks. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Despite tempting targets the city was left relatively untouched. The Woodpecker Inn, at the junction of York Road and Marsh Lane, was damaged during an air raid.

. Leeds bombing raids

Despite tempting targets the city was left relatively untouched. The Woodpecker Inn, at the junction of York Road and Marsh Lane, was damaged during an air raid. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The city's only real experience of the Luftwaffe had come in August 1940 when three people were killed by bombs which fell on Whitehall Road, pictured.

. Leeds bombing raids

The city's only real experience of the Luftwaffe had come in August 1940 when three people were killed by bombs which fell on Whitehall Road, pictured. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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This photo shows bomb damage to St. John's Sunday School on Whitehall Road which occurred in August 1940.

. Leeds bombing raids

This photo shows bomb damage to St. John's Sunday School on Whitehall Road which occurred in August 1940. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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A 60-year-old man died in late August 1940 after a bomb hit York House in the Quarry Hill flats.

. Leeds bombing raids

A 60-year-old man died in late August 1940 after a bomb hit York House in the Quarry Hill flats. | jpimedia

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It was around 9pm on Friday, March 14 , 1941, when the sirens started to wail. In all, 451 German bombers were over Britain and 40 of them were heading for Leeds.

. Leeds bombing raids

It was around 9pm on Friday, March 14 , 1941, when the sirens started to wail. In all, 451 German bombers were over Britain and 40 of them were heading for Leeds. | jpimedia

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By the dawn of 1941, several British cities had already suffered horrific damage and huge loss of life in bombing raids.

1. Leeds bombing raids

By the dawn of 1941, several British cities had already suffered horrific damage and huge loss of life in bombing raids. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Photo Sales
Lewis's on The Headrow where a brick wall has been built over the entrance with access gained from the sides, to help prevent bomb damage. In the centre are black and white painted, for blackout visibility, static water tanks.

2. Leeds bombing raids

Lewis's on The Headrow where a brick wall has been built over the entrance with access gained from the sides, to help prevent bomb damage. In the centre are black and white painted, for blackout visibility, static water tanks. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Photo Sales
Despite tempting targets the city was left relatively untouched. The Woodpecker Inn, at the junction of York Road and Marsh Lane, was damaged during an air raid.

3. Leeds bombing raids

Despite tempting targets the city was left relatively untouched. The Woodpecker Inn, at the junction of York Road and Marsh Lane, was damaged during an air raid. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Photo Sales
The city's only real experience of the Luftwaffe had come in August 1940 when three people were killed by bombs which fell on Whitehall Road, pictured.

4. Leeds bombing raids

The city's only real experience of the Luftwaffe had come in August 1940 when three people were killed by bombs which fell on Whitehall Road, pictured. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Photo Sales
This photo shows bomb damage to St. John's Sunday School on Whitehall Road which occurred in August 1940.

5. Leeds bombing raids

This photo shows bomb damage to St. John's Sunday School on Whitehall Road which occurred in August 1940. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Photo Sales
A 60-year-old man died in late August 1940 after a bomb hit York House in the Quarry Hill flats.

6. Leeds bombing raids

A 60-year-old man died in late August 1940 after a bomb hit York House in the Quarry Hill flats. | jpimedia

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