| Original caption: “A burning building in Sheffield which was raided recently. New York Times Paris Bureau Collection.” Sheffield City Center burns after the air raid in December 1940. The Sheffield Blitz is the name given to the worst nights of German Luftwaffe bombing in Sheffield, England, during the 2nd World War. It took place during nighttime on December 12 and 15, 1940. The German code name for the operation was Schmelztiegel (“Crucible”). On December 12 at 1941 Hours, 13 Heinkel He-111s from Kampfgruppe 100, the German Pathfinder unit from Cambrai, France, arrived over the city to deliver 11,000 incendiaries and 16 121-pound (55 kilogram) high explosive bombs. Then, 280 Junkers Ju-88s, Heinkel He-111s and Dornier Do-17s attacked in 3 waves. The Marple Hotel was stuck by a high explosive bomb, killing 78; the single biggest loss of life in the attacks. For the December 15 raid, the Luftwaffe switched to carrying just incendiaries. 61 aircraft were led by 16 pathfinders in a 3-hour raid starting at 1900 Hours. In total, over 660 people were killed, 1,500 injured and 40,000 made homeless. 3,000 homes were demolished, with a further 3,000 badly damaged. A total of 78,000 homes received damage. 6 George Medals were awarded to citizens of Sheffield for their bravery during the raids. 134 victims of the raids were buried in a communal grave in City Road Cemetery. King George VI (December 14, 1895 – February 6, 1952) and Queen Elizabeth (August 4, 1900 – March 30, 2002) toured the city soon after the raids to inspect the damage and boost morale amongst survivors. Prime Minister Winston Churchill also toured the blitzed city, speaking through loudspeakers to a 20,000-strong crowd in Town Hall Square and giving his signature ‘V’ for ‘Victory’ V sign. | |
| Image Filename | wwii2020.jpg |
| Image Size | 837.56 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2900 x 2257 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | December 12, 1940 |
| Location | |
| City | Sheffield |
| State or Province | South Yorkshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NLR-PHOCO-A-71117 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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