Darkest days of bombing - nine pictures showing the devastation of our streets 80 years ago in August 1940
It was 80 years ago this week when German planes targeted Sunderland, Hartlepool and other key North East towns in the Battle of Britain.
By Chris Cordner
Published 13th Aug 2020, 06:00 BST
Updated 13th Aug 2020, 18:45 BST
Homes were destroyed, dozens of lives lost and hundreds of people were injured.
But the Germans lost the battle of the skies so badly, they never returned in the same numbers again.
The archives of the Sunderland Echo and Hartlepool Mail contain these photographs of the damage caused to our neighbourhoods in those days – and how the people of the North East fought on through it all.
The archives of the Sunderland Echo and Hartlepool Mail contain these photographs of the damage caused to our neighbourhoods in those days – and how the people of the North East fought on through it all.
5. A scene from Humbledon
Sunderland was one of most heavily bombed towns in Britain during the Second World War. This view was taken at Humbledon in August, 1940 and shows the devastation which was caused by German bombers. Photo: se
The Yorkshire Penny Bank, Edgar Phillips' shop and flats were all affected by the bombardment of Church Street, Hartlepool, in August 1940. Photo: Hartlepool Mail
A table and chairs can be seen in this Sunderland property after the side of the house in Viewforth Terrace was blown out in an August 1940 air raid. Photo: se