Hitler’s foul play left Filbert Street blasted

[davieG]

image: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276308/Article/images/29893487/15682062-large.jpg

Blitzed: The remains of the players' dressing room at Filbert Street, after it had been destroyed by a German bomb in November 1940.

 

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Filbert Street may have been popular with home fans - but on this night back in 1940 it was not popular with away Germans!

For, 76 years ago, during the night of November 14/15, 1940, the Luftwaffe bombed Leicester City's home ground, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

It was the same night that 449 bombers famously attacked Coventry.

It seemed Leicester would escape the Luftwaffe's wrath – that was, until 1.35am, when a single Heinkel He111 bomber dropped 17 high-bombs across Leicester.

 

The first fell at the junction of Hinckley Road and Fosse Road, leaving a large crater.

The second bomb fell at the rear of two houses, trapping two people in 40, Luther Street and damaging 15 homes. The third bomb fell at 27, Tyndale Road.

The most serious incident occurred at 30, Latimer Street, trapping Ada Coleman, aged 48, and her daughter, Gertrude, aged 23, under debris. Gertrude died next day at Leicester Royal Infirmary. They are buried together at Gilroes Cemetery.

The fifth bomb fell in the garden of 60 Ridley Street, demolishing two outhouses and leaving a 15ft crater. Mrs Sarah Ann Barratt, aged 81, was buried in her bed by debris.

The sixth bomb fell on the garage of Squires Bakery, in Briton Street, blowing off the roof and damaging six delivery vans. Next door, Mr and Mrs A Stanion and their two children, plus two other adults, were trapped.

The seventh bomb exploded on the corner of Roman Street and Western Road.

The eighth demolished the corner of a small house at the junction of Western Road and Briton Street.

The ninth fell on Burton's factory, on the corner of Gaul Street andWestern Road.

The 10th and 11h fell on open ground and gardens across the railway from Upperton Road.

But it was the 12th bomb that almost ruined LCFC's season, when a 50kg, fell on Filbert Street's Main Stand, severely damaging the Double-stand, kitchens, toilets, gymnasium and boardroom. Woodwork and seating absorbed much of the blast, meaning nearby housing escaped practically undamaged. The pitch, apart from being littered with broken woodwork, was undamaged.

However, when the club applied to the FA for a £15,000 – £675,000 today – repair loan, they were rejected!

The 13th bomb exploded on the pavement in Filbert Street, smashing only one window.

Another Leicester sporting centre was also hit: the 14th and 15th bombs fell on the County Cricket Ground, Grace Road, damaging a stand.

The 16th bomb fell on open ground, whilst the last bomb caused a big crater in Leicester cattle market.

Two people had been killed and 10 injured. The Mercury reported: "Considering the noise and number of bombs, damage and casualties are not what might have been feared."

Read more at http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/hitler-8217-s-foul-play-left-filbert-street-blasted/story-29893487-detail/story.html#XVO9VJYJ5eFIzj3m.99

[Voll Blau]

Remember reading about this in Fossils & Foxes. Never realised it was the same night as the Coventry Blitz, though I guess that makes sense...

[purpleronnie]

The more I read about Hitler the more I dislike him.

[AKCJ]

20 minutes ago, purpleronnie said:

The more I read about Hitler the more I dislike him.

He was a bit of an arse.

[GazzinderFox]

The more serious bombing came a week later when over 100 people were killed and several hundred buildings destroyed.

[Steven]

45 minutes ago, purpleronnie said:

The more I read about Hitler the more I dislike him.

Clearly a Forest fan.

[foxy boxing]

Hitler only had one ball, the other was in the Albert hall, apparently

[ARCHER]

1 hour ago, purpleronnie said:

The more I read about Hitler the more I dislike him.

He hated Spurs though.

 

[yorkie1999]

Bombed our chip shop as well.

[MPH]

He took out the East stand aswell, i think. Although I dont think they ever  got round to rebuilding it....

[The Horse's Mouth]

champions of england you'll never sing that

[RoyFox]

6 minutes ago, The Horse's Mouth said:

champions of england you'll never sing that

[Wolfox]

I own a place on Luther St... never knew about that little slice of history for the Hinckley Rd

[Alf Bentley]

2 hours ago, purpleronnie said:

The more I read about Hitler the more I dislike him.

 

 

Too right, Ronnie.

 

Even Joey Barton never trashed a changing room like that. 

 

This Hitler deserves a 5-match ban.

 

[leicester4life]

 

?

[Lestoh]

> bombs football stadiums and gardens

> wonders why he lost

> ???

[Bayfox]

Sounds like that part of the city had a lucky escape that night. Could have been a lot worse.

 

Or from hitlers point of view. It was careless to drop that many bombs and hit literally **** all in terms of useful targets.

 

And 675k in today's money. That's Rooneys monthly wages after tax isn't it  what a world we live in thanks to those that did lose lives for the cause.

[norwichfox]

On 14/11/2016 at 14:31, davieG said:

 

However, when the club applied to the FA for a £15,000 – £675,000 today – repair loan, they were rejected

I think we should re-apply for the money....cheapskate FA

[Russell sprout]

On 14/11/2016 at 22:43, leicester4life said:

 

?

Edward Elizabeth hitler 

[Merging Cultures]

I am surprised they never bothered to fix it.