Exeter Blitz

My hometown during the second World War.

[@NCKE-nj5kt]

I have lived here all my life but it’s taken me 53 years to see what devastation was inflicted on our great city. Thank you for this valuable history lesson. Long live Exeter

[@lilianamariamaiola3376]

I´ve been to Exeter more than 10 times and see these images made me feel very sad, Such beautiful town , destroyed in less than 2 hours

[@paulharding9208]

That's what I can remember Exeter looking like about 1945 with buddleia growing out of every wall and ground not being worked on.

[@wayneroberts5853]

This popped up my suggestions after a WW2 bomb was discovered in Exeter.Love my city! This video makes me very sad

[@petebraven1522]

One of those 'rescue workers taking a break' is my grandfather, he didn't know at that point that his own house had been destroyed, the whole family survived under the kitchen table,.. Dane's Castle reservoir, now gone.

[@sarahstrong7174]

Thankyou. It is a shame, I would have liked to see the old medieval streets.

[@monkeysensei5128]

Excellent timing, right after a WWII bomb was discovered near the university, I get recommended this

[@JamesHarris-vg8mj]

I was born there in April 42, I was about 10 days days old when it came.

[@jasonclarke6983]

Such a lovely city both then and now and the people old and young

[@soapy3204]

The music ❤️

[@mrboyban]

I'm not from this country, however it is truly devastating and upsetting.

[@francishuddy9462]

Exeter was destroyed by the city council after the war. Wholesale, wanton destruction. As for the wartime bombing, Bedford Circus could and should have been saved. Minor damage during the War. But, it was torn down within days. Same with the Lower Market, Fore Street. (Charles Fowler's masterpiece - he also designed Covent Garden, London). Less so with Deller's Cafe.

[@chris-jb5ds]

Thankyou i was about to say the same thing. exeter city council destroyed the city and they are still doing so now. Trying to make exeter like london. You cant move in exeter its congested, dirty, expensive its the shit hole of the south west. its faster to walk from on end of exeter to the other than drive.

[@leejames1792]

@@chris-jb5ds agree with both comments here, the same thing happened in many city's up and down the country, so much could have been saved yet instead planners saw an opportunity and created some truly ugly city centres , Exeter being one of them. You are right it is a proper dump now.

[@normaneustice1112]

A friend of mine now passed away, witnessed the destruction of his family home to H.E & incendiary bombs, He tried to save the family possessions from the house as it burnt from top to bottom hiding in a slit trench as successive waves of bombers came over head. Although badly damaged the city survived only to be ruined by those who lived there, The City council caused more destruction than all of the 19 raids to hit Exeter, when "clearing" the damage away. At the time there was much malcontent over the way the city was rebuilt, with many perfectly good buildings being levelled to make way for the new poisonous concrete jungle that now resides over a once beautiful city. Rest in Peace .. William (Bill) Arthur Williams native son of Exeter

[@happinessisasmile]

Thankyou we need to understand how war can destroy...but we do get back to normality too... thankfully.... may it never return again... a great video thanks

[@margaretgreen872]

my hometown during the blitz.

[@joannebailey9029]

And mine

[@francishuddy9462]

Most of these pictures are taken many days after the bombing, revealing the result of damaged buildings being torn down by builders and demolition workers. As in the pictures of Southernhay, and the High Street. And a rather strange choice of music, John Williams Hymn to the Fallen, which is intended for military remembrance.

[@totogging]

Very thought provoking and really well edited, thanks for sharing.

[@marialester2167]

Thats really angered me. Such a shame so much has gone

[@nic5abbey]

Good news the presentation is being shown again on the 4th May 2012 at the Exeter conference centre Northernhay Street Exeter at 7.30pm!

[@colinhazell6259]

Very sad!

[@jamesmclauchlan6907]

Where did you find the photo at 0:36? I'm making an educational video for the Cathedral and it would be great if I could get a copy of that image.

[@lilianamariamaiola3376]

How sad

[@y559djr]

there was a man i think in Exeter who was given an unexploded bomb by someone he knew and he was going to get rid of it later in the day but forgot so it stayed under his stairs for decades until it was found and exploded on the spot.

[@lollyclan]

Hi, can you tell me what the uniform is at 4.00 - the man in the foreground with a dark uniform and a cup of tea in his hand? thanks, Lolly

[@thra5herxb12s]

😢

[@chasfleming]

This emotional imagery is absolutely spoiled by the simply awful rendition of Saving Private Ryan. Should have a health and safety warning included so that you can mute before playing.

[@os9458]

i hate this