The Clydebank Blitz

In March 1941, two nights of concentrated bombing by the Luftwaffe devastated Clydebank. Although high explosive and delayed action land mines created considerable damage, the dropping of 100,000 incendiary bombs by Heinkels and Stukas caused a Dante's Inferno.

The glow from the fires could be seen as far away as Dyce Airport, Aberdeen. By the morning of the 15^th March, after two night attacks, only 7 houses and the La Scala cinema were undamaged.

The area suffered the highest death toll of any Scottish town during WW2. In all, there were 528 deaths, 617 seriously injured and 35,000 people homeless.

The bravery of full time emergency services and of hundreds of volunteers from boys' organisations, church groups and, perhaps, above all from nurses and student doctors from Glasgow's Western Infirmary was outstanding. Subsequently no less than 5 George Medals, 5 OBEs and 6 BEMs were awarded.

Survivors were officially evacuated to various nearby towns including Bearsden and Milngavie. Others found their way over the fields and moors to safety. Many never returned to Clydebank with some moving to the USA and Canada on a permanent basis.

Various commemoration services were held on the 13^th March. At the principal meeting, the Consul General of Germany attended. He said that the people of Clydebank and Scotland were very generous to accept German representatives back as friends a short time after the war. A number of Rotarians from the Clydebank Club attended these moving events.

Jack Milroy