Marking the 81st anniversary of the “Baedeker Raid” on York tonight, Raids Over York is delighted to mark this important event in the city’s history by releasing details of the eleventh and final raid on the city.
This raid focused on the gas works in Heworth and resulted in tragic loss of life for both British and German subjects.
Read all about the raid here.
Being the eleventh and final raid on York, and after five years of preparation, research and great public engagement, this brings to a close the Raids Over York project’s account of the bombing of the city during WW2. We do hope you have found it interesting and a useful resource.
The Raids Over York project continues to be open to comments and messages and will when possible respond to them and publish such material – be these your new research, reminiscences, memories, old WW2 photos of York found in a drawer, a potential air-raid shelter discovered in your garden, … or anything else, large or small; we want to know!
Do contact us via the comment function on this website, social media, or via email to raidsoveryork@outlook.com
With thanks,
The Raids Over York Team
RAIDS OVER YORK 
Congratulations to all the Raids Over York team on the excellent and thorough work on this, especially for putting York’s tragic experience of war into the wider context of the devastation wrought by fascism.
It is so important that this is understood and never forgotten
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Many thanks, Christopher. We’re so pleased you have found the Raids Over York project rewarding.
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Hi From New Zealand, From the records and photos my late mother kept I was born in Pocklington on the day that the fighter planes flew in to Elvington airport for the first time. We moved to Avenue Terrace, Clifton in York whilst war raged and the two houses at the top of the street were destroyed by a bomb which was supposed to destroy the York E/W and N/S rail system. My late father made a box in which I was placed and then into the chimney breast – according to my mother I went white and came out black (soot). the logic behind doing this was that my father observed that the chimneys were built back to back and were the last to fall. We did not have an air aid shelter using a dining room table and chairs as protection when the air raid sirens sounded. Sylvia, my wife of 61 years, was born in Goole and raised by her grandmother in various locations in mainly in South Yorkshire so she was a reasonable distance away from danger. Many memories regards Ron R D Bird QSM FCLT MNI P.O. Box 365, Waiuku 2341, New Zealand
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Dear Ron,
Thank you so much for sharing these remarkable memories, and for the letters you sent to the team via York Civic Trust and the University of York. What an extraordinary story. Your recollections vividly bring to life the experience of York during the war, and it’s fascinating (and moving) to hear how your family adapted to the dangers of the air raids. The image of being placed safely in the chimney breast is unforgettable — and a powerful reminder of the improvisation and courage shown by York residents at that time. We’re very grateful that you took the time to write in from New Zealand and to share both your and Sylvia’s memories. With best wishes from York, Duncan & Helen (on behalf of the Raids Over York Project Team)
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