Today, Thursday 25th April 2019, marks 77 years since the start of a devastating bombing raid on the city of Bath by the German Luftwaffe, air raids that are now commonly referred to as the Bath Blitz.

Bath was heavily bombed in 1942 – Kingsmead Street is unrecognisable today
The sustained bombing of the area between 25th and 27th April 1942 was part of a number of retaliation raids by the Luftwaffe.
Over the three days, more than 19,000 buildings in Bath were damaged, with over 1000 being destroyed and 417 people lost their lives.
Of the 417 people that died, 10 were police officers, the single largest loss of life in one day for Avon and Somerset Police.
On the nights of 25 & 26 April 1942, the Bath Blitz claimed the lives of 10 officers. This remains the single largest loss of life in one day for @ASPolice
To mark the anniversary, we’ll fly the force standard at half-mast outside our HQ on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/abBhYgTRKw
— Avon&Somerset Police (@ASPolice) April 24, 2019
Between Saturday 25th and Monday 27th April, Bath suffered three bombing raids, with around 80 planes coming from northern France to target the city.
The first bombing raid happened at 11pm on Saturday, and continued through to 1am on Sunday morning.
Though air raid sirens sounded across Bath, many believed the bombers were heading for Bristol to continue their four month bombing campaign of the neighbouring city.
The Luftwaffe planes flew back to France to refuel and rearm, and were back in Bath at 4.35am on Sunday morning.
Following their earlier attack on the city, the aircraft could now easily spot their target, which was well ablaze.
A third bombing run was carried out on the Monday morning, along with machine gun fire down the streets, damage from which can still be seen today on the former Labour Exchange building on James Street West.
During the Bath Blitz, the Assembly Rooms was completely destroyed, having only been restored a few years earlier after a period of neglect.
A 500kg was also dropped on to Queen Square, destroying 24 metres of frontage of the Francis Hotel. Many of the hotel guests and staff had taken shelter in the basement, and casualties from the substantial bomb remained low.
During the bombing, Bath lost almost 1200 homes and the majority of the city’s churches were damaged beyond recognition.
Today, Thursday 25th April 2019, Avon and Somerset Police will be flying their force standard at half-mast outside their headquarters in Portishead, to honour the officers who died.