For months, German planes targeted British towns and cities and Sunderland was one of the those to suffer the worst of German attacks.
These photos, from the Sunderland Echo archives, show the effect of the Nazi air raids and the fightback by the Royal Air Force.
They also show how life went on despite the daily threat to life.
Take a look at these historic Wearside reminders of some of the most dramatic days in British history.
They also show how life went on despite the daily threat to life.
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