Derek James looks back on a dark period in Norfolk's history...and the heroes whose job it was to keep as many people safe as possible
The drama surrounding the bomb recently discovered in Great Yarmouth has been a stark reminder of a time of death and destruction, and the bravery of the UXB teams in Norfolk during the Second World War.
They risked their lives time and time again to reach bombs in the ruins which had failed to explode, in order to make them safe.
It was during the last week of April, 1942 that around 225 men, women and children lost their lives during the two Baedeker Raids over Norwich, which left much of the city in ruins.
Many more people were seriously injured, and thousands of houses destroyed or damaged…this was hell on earth.
But there could have been more lives lost had not been for the teams of dedicated helpers, messengers, air raid wardens, police, the fire brigade and many more.
Before the Norwich Blitz, bomb reconnaissance courses had been held at Bury St Edmunds for emergency workers across our region.
It was so important to know where there had been reports of unexploded bombs, organise evacuations, and stop the alert for the Bomb Disposal Units if they were not needed.
As you can imagine this was dangerous work, and the ARP (Air Raid Precautions) wardens, men and women, rarely got the credit their deserved.
On the two nights of the blitz over the city, reports of UXBs reached almost 70. They all had to be investigated and, if necessary, the Army Bomb Disposal Squad called in.
The men of the Bomb Reconnaissance Department risked their lives travelling around the city investigating the UXB reports.
They were led by former chief petty officer inspector Edwin Buttle along with another ex-petty officer, CW Shore, PC Neville Ball, and many more.
This was tough work. For example...
At the Carlton Cinema, later the Gaumont, on All Saint’s Green, there was a hole in the side of the building but it was wasn’t thought this had been caused by a bomb.
So the show went on, and the people tried to cheer themselves up by watching the movies.
Some days later inspector Buttle and his men discovered a large bomb inside the cinema and a clearance certificate was issued…goodness knows how many casualties there would have been if the bomb had exploded during a show.
Other members of the team who get a mention in reports include inspectors Doe and Mitchell, P Scott and sgt Kemp.
As for the rest of the UXBs, some exploded, while others were removed by the Army Bomb Disposal Squad. Delayed action fuses fitted to some of the UXBs added to the dangers.
So many incendiary bombs fell over the city on those two nights it was impossible to record them all.
Following the raids there were long queues outside City Hall. People had their lost their homes and belongings.
A clothing centre was opened on Cow Hill. Lost ration books and identity cards had to be replaced, temporary accommodation found, and many of those helping others were also victims.
London sent a mobile unit to Norwich with experienced helpers to set up a relief depot. Members of the WVS and the magnificent MAGNA – with Ruth Hardy at the helm – reached out to support the people.
It was reported later that 97 per cent of the 55.76 tonnes of bombs dropped during the first raid and 91 per cent of the 49.19 tonnes of high explosive bombs during the second had landed on the city.
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