Due to the amount of industry in Belfast, it was one of the major target cities for the Germans. It was not well defended because the government thought it was too far away for the German bombers (Luftwaffe) to reach. Belfast city was bombed four times in April and May of 1941. This period was called the Belfast Blitz. Factories such as Harland and Wolff were seriously damaged, about 1,100 people were killed and over 56,000 homes were destroyed. Great numbers of people left the city to move to towns outside of Belfast, and some even took refuge south of the border.
Aftermath of the Belfast Blitz
DID YOU KNOW?
During World War II the workforce of Harland and Wolff tripled to approximately 35,000 workers.
CHECKPOINT!
1. How did World War II affect (a) industry and (b) agriculture in Northern Ireland? 2. Why were American soldiers stationed in Northern Ireland? 3. Why was Belfast attacked by the Luftwaffe? 4. What impact did the bombing have on Belfast?
.
I can describe what life was like in Northern Ireland during World War II.
TIME TO GO BACK I CAN MOVE FORWARD
COLLABORATE: Work in groups to gather information about the Harland and Wolff shipyard and the Short Brothers factory during World War II.
