City to remember anniversary of night Nazi bombs flattened centre

AN area of Sheffield which was flattened by German bombers during the Second World War is to host a huge commemoration to mark the 70th anniversary.

The Moor, which is now a pedestrianised shopping street in the city centre, was virtually unrecognisable after an attack by the Luftwaffe in late 1940.

Organisers of the Sheffield Blitz event said it would take place on Sunday, December 12, exactly 70 years to the day when the first of the bombs were unleashed.

The catastrophic event took place on two separate nights, and left 2,000 people dead or wounded and made 40,000 homeless.

Fitzalan Square endured the single biggest loss of life in Sheffield during the Blitz when the Marples Hotel was destroyed killing 70 people.

Managers at The Moor have enlisted the help of a team of ex-soldiers to help organise the event and attend in period costume. Air raid sirens, a tea dance and Second World War memorabilia from gas masks to ID cards will be on display and more attractions are planned.

Sandra Barley, The Moor's liaison manager, said: “We did a dry run of this event last year and it was fantastic with hundreds of people turning up. This year is set to be far bigger and more ambitious to commemorate the 70th anniversary.”