Image Bank
Swansea
Fragments of incendiary bombs
Many explosive bombs were dropped on British towns and cities, but a huge amount of the damage was done by 1 kilogram incendiaries. They were dropped in canisters. A Heinkel He 111 bomber could carry 32, each containing 36 bombs. The magnesium or phosphorus in the bomb caused the fire.
Fire watchers high on the buildings sent parties out to stifle the fire bombs with heaps of sand or sandbags – even a dustbin lid might do. Empty buildings soon went up in flames, but people saved their house and shops by dislodging them from roofs, pushing them into the street with sweeping brushes and even throwing them out of windows. About 10% were later fitted with an explosive device, which made this very dangerous. Children used to collect the remains like spent fireworks after Guy Fawkes – one lad was blinded by one that went off on Swansea Beach.
About 56,000 incendiary bombs fell on Swansea between 19th and 21st February, 1941.
Activity: Connections
Look at the picture and read, listen to, or print the story.
Now think about how any of the pictures might connect, save the Connections Write Sheet and use your imagination to explain how you think they could connect.