Locations of highly explosive bombs which fell on Leeds during air raid mapped for first time

A total of 25 tons of explosives were dropped on the city on March 14, 1941, targeting the Gas Works and industrial areas surrounding the river Aire.

The bombs damaged many other important sites including the Town Hall, the City Museum, telephone exchange and also people’s homes.

The raid caused over 100 serious fires, damaged over 4,500 buildings and resulted in 65 people losing their lives.

The sites and stories of these bombs can be seen on new webpages, which include an interactive map, that have been launched ahead of the 80th anniversary of the raid this weekend.

Although officially too small to qualify for ‘Blitz’ status - defined as 100 tons of explosives - the city was pounded by incendiary and high explosive bombs in two waves of attack during the night and early hours of the following morning.

The team from the School of Cultural Studies and Humanities of the University worked on a ‘Public History Project’ module to explore different aspects of the raid and have pinpointed the exact sites of many previously unlocated bombs.

The project was a partnership with Leeds Museums and Galleries, the Leeds Local and Family History Library and the West Yorkshire Archives Service.

Using an array of primary and secondary sources ranging from secret Home Security reports to academic texts, the Leodis photography archive, genealogy databases and historical maps, the LBU group tried to uncover the full story of what had happened that night.

They also focused on the effect of the damage on civilian morale and heroism, these themes striking a balance between popular interest and historical context while also respecting and remembering those involved.

Many of the stories researched happened in places still recognisable today.

Senior Lecturer in Public History Dr Henry Irving oversaw the project and said carrying it out during an unprecedented global pandemic meant the work took on an added significance.

Dr Henry Irving said: "Though not as badly bombed as other places, we were all struck by how little had been written about Leeds. I’m really proud we have now been able to update the West Yorkshire Archive Service’s bomb map, which shows exactly where different bombs fell.

“The students also worked to connect individual incidents with the people affected, adding details about the legacies of the raid. I should also say that the subject matter was quite emotional – and, of course, we’ve had to do all of this while coping with lockdown!”

One of the groups working on the Leeds Blitz project focussed on the lives of wartime women, which resonated with BA English and History student Leanne Speight.

Leanne remembered stories from her own Great Grandma who worked in a munitions factory, many of which are often little discussed.

She said: "She was one of hundreds of thousands of women across Britain who did ‘their bit’ and it was clear she viewed her contribution as nothing out of the ordinary. But together, the women achieved something extraordinary, shattering gender stereotypes to step into traditionally male roles when the nation needed them most.

“We see clear examples of the courage demonstrated by women like my Great Grandma in the face of enemy action during the air raid on Leeds. Reports published afterwards show women did not hesitate to tackle fires caused by incendiary bombs, even when high explosives were falling nearby. Many of these women worked in roles where such actions would not have been expected of them."

As well as a great learning outcome for the group, BA History students Bradley Danahar and Megan Guest, hope the project can help and inspire the wider public too.

They said: “If people can also learn from the resource the group has created that will be a fantastic outcome! We also hope that understanding more about the events of 80 years ago might motivate people to help those in need right now, during another time where we must all pull together.”

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