The Exeter Blitz

The Exeter Blitz

The Exeter Blitz aka The Baedeker Blitz Exeter suffered several bombing raids during the early years of WWII but it was the so called Baedeker Blitz of 1942 that caused the most devastation. The German Baedeker travel guide of the time listed Exeter as ‘the jewel of the south west’ and the city was one of several cultural and historic targets identified by Hitler following the Allies’ devastating raids on similar heritage-rich German cities, such as Lubeck. In the early hours of 4 May, Sidwell Street, a large area to the south and the city centre sustained huge damage during
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Categories: Blitz, History and Post War Years.

20th Century St Sidwell’s

20th Century St Sidwell’s

Trams, buses and cars In 1905, electric trams were introduced to Sidwell Street as part of a city-wide network. They ran until August 1931, when the city authorities decided to make buses the only local transport. The advent of the motor car resulted in a lot of business for Sidwell Street with many garages opening up along its length between the 1920’s and World War II. Pubs and entertainment The Odeon Cinema, which opened on Sidwell Street in 1937, is the oldest survivor in Exeter from that golden age of movies. It was also used for concerts and had a
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Categories: History and Post War Years.