Author of Blitz book unearths bombshell

In Sheffield's Date With Hitler, author Neil Anderson reveals a newly-unearthed German bombing map that could show the purpose of the attack on December 12 and 15, 1940, may not have been, as has always been thought, to knock out the munitions works in the East End.

Mr Anderson said: "The heavy industry and munitions works of the East End, which were always seen as the Luftwaffe's primary target, are clearly marked as only secondary targets. Primary targets are hospitals, university buildings and the railways.

"The Sheffield Blitz was always seen as a failure in German eyes as it failed to halt production of munitions. But this new evidence raises the question of whether it achieved far more of its primary objectives than was previously thought.

"When I started researching the book a year ago I always thought it strange that bombs were dropped across the entire length and breadth of the city. If their primary target was to knock out the East End factories I couldn't understand why bombs were dropping miles away in suburbs like Woodseats, Millhouses, Fulwood, Wisewood and Gleadless."

Sheffield-born Second World War expert Jeremy Freeston agreed that the new evidence raises questions about the Germans' intentions.

He said: "The map does suggest the Germans were more interested in breaking Sheffield's will to resist via a widespread 'terror bombing' campaign rather than halt its munitions production.

"The fact German bombs fell across the entire city rather than being concentrated on the industrial East End only backs up that argument."

Sheffield's Date With Hitler is published by ACM Retro and is on sale now, costing 12.95.