|
Other places in this section...
|
Page 1
oventry's long history has been influenced and shaped by many events, some bringing prosperity, others misfortune. However, two events have had a more catastrophic effect than any other; the first being the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century - and more recently, during the Second World War, the raid known first to the Germans as Operation Moonlight Sonata, but known more familiarly by everyone here as simply "The Blitz".
This particular air raid was, of course, far more indiscriminate and inhumane than anything our city had ever experienced, and although London had already suffered more bombs and casualties during the previous few months of WWII, the concentration of the raid on our relatively small town centre brought the horrific attack on Coventry to the immediate attention of the whole world. This publicity itself was a break from convention; the results of such an attack were usually kept quiet. However, the Ministry of Information chose this occasion to make use of the press to expose the senseless brutality of the Nazis. The reporting of the destruction of so many homes, and especially the cathedral, soon brought scorn on the enemy from all quarters of the civilised world.
Moonlight Sonata - Introduction to the Coventry Blitz
oventry's long history has been influenced and shaped by many events, some bringing prosperity, others misfortune. However, two events have had a more catastrophic effect than any other; the first being the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century - and more recently, during the Second World War, the raid known first to the Germans as Operation Moonlight Sonata, but known more familiarly by everyone here as simply "The Blitz".
This particular air raid was, of course, far more indiscriminate and inhumane than anything our city had ever experienced, and although London had already suffered more bombs and casualties during the previous few months of WWII, the concentration of the raid on our relatively small town centre brought the horrific attack on Coventry to the immediate attention of the whole world. This publicity itself was a break from convention; the results of such an attack were usually kept quiet. However, the Ministry of Information chose this occasion to make use of the press to expose the senseless brutality of the Nazis. The reporting of the destruction of so many homes, and especially the cathedral, soon brought scorn on the enemy from all quarters of the civilised world.
The night of Thursday 14th November 1940, though, was all about Coventry, its people, and how they dealt with it. The next few pages will look at the many aspects of how it deeply affected our city.
Information for this section was taken principally from the following books: -- Air Raid - Norman Longmate
- Coventry at War - David McGrory
- The City we Loved - Coventry Corporation
- Moonlight Sonata - Tim Lewis
- Ruined and Rebuilt - Provost R. T. Howard
- Coventry Under Fire - Reverend G. W. Clitheroe
- A Night in Little Park Street - J. B. Shelton
- Coventry at War - Alton Douglas
Introduction - > Why Coventry?
Counter provided by Rob Orland
278491