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Bournemouth WWII air raid 70th anniversary memorial unveiled | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A memorial to victims of a World War II bombing raid in Bournemouth 70 years ago has been unveiled. | |
Nearly 200 people, mostly Allied airmen staying at the Metropole Hotel, died in the Luftwaffe raid on 23 May 1943. | Nearly 200 people, mostly Allied airmen staying at the Metropole Hotel, died in the Luftwaffe raid on 23 May 1943. |
The hotel site, in the Lansdowne area of the town, is now home to Bournemouth University's Royal London House. | The hotel site, in the Lansdowne area of the town, is now home to Bournemouth University's Royal London House. |
Canadian veterans and senior diplomats were among those attending the ceremony in Lansdowne Crescent, opposite the university building. | |
The memorial was unveiled by Mayor Phil Stanley-Watts and the Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, Valerie Pitt-Rivers. | |
'Hard to believe' | 'Hard to believe' |
Of all the bombing suffered by Bournemouth from 1940 to 1944, the 1943 raid was the deadliest - 26 Focke Wolf 190 planes dropped 25 high-explosive bombs on the town, destroying 22 buildings and damaging a further 3,000. | Of all the bombing suffered by Bournemouth from 1940 to 1944, the 1943 raid was the deadliest - 26 Focke Wolf 190 planes dropped 25 high-explosive bombs on the town, destroying 22 buildings and damaging a further 3,000. |
During the war, thousands of Allied troops, including at least 10,000 Canadians, were billeted in the town, with many housed in requisitioned hotels. | During the war, thousands of Allied troops, including at least 10,000 Canadians, were billeted in the town, with many housed in requisitioned hotels. |
The Central Hotel in Richmond Hill, Beales department store in Old Christchurch Rd and the Metropole Hotel were among the buildings destroyed in the raid. | The Central Hotel in Richmond Hill, Beales department store in Old Christchurch Rd and the Metropole Hotel were among the buildings destroyed in the raid. |
Nearly 40 damaged structures, including Punshon Memorial Church in Richmond Hill, also had to be demolished. | Nearly 40 damaged structures, including Punshon Memorial Church in Richmond Hill, also had to be demolished. |
David Kelsey, Bournemouth borough councillor for East Cliff and Springbourne, said: "It's hard to believe this only happened 70 years ago and there are people in the town who still remember it. | David Kelsey, Bournemouth borough councillor for East Cliff and Springbourne, said: "It's hard to believe this only happened 70 years ago and there are people in the town who still remember it. |
"The impact of these air raids would have been devastating to the town's residents. | "The impact of these air raids would have been devastating to the town's residents. |
"It's really important that we never forget those who lost their lives protecting this country and this memorial is a very fitting tribute." | "It's really important that we never forget those who lost their lives protecting this country and this memorial is a very fitting tribute." |
More than 2,200 bombs fell on Bournemouth during World War II, killing up to 350 civilians and servicemen. | More than 2,200 bombs fell on Bournemouth during World War II, killing up to 350 civilians and servicemen. |
Nearly 14,000 buildings were affected, with 75 destroyed, 171 demolished and thousands more damaged. | Nearly 14,000 buildings were affected, with 75 destroyed, 171 demolished and thousands more damaged. |
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