The Plymouth Blitz April 1941
In March we posted some extracts from the wartime diary of Dom Stephen Rawlinson, who was serving in Plymouth during World War II as a naval chaplain. The March 1941 bombings of Plymouth were horrific, but in late April the city was targeted again.
Monday April 21st. Mass 7.15. Met Fr Alban at 2.30 at Milbay and went shopping and had tea. Another severe air raid started at 9.40pm and went on all night. We were without gas or electricity or phones. Barracks badly damaged.
Tuesday April 22nd. Mass 7.45. Went down in morning to see Canon Gaynor thinking his church had been hit, but it had not. Went into Plymouth after lunch. Took me 2 hours and a half to get to club. All roads blocked with debris and bomb craters. Found club had all front blown out. The Hale porter was in his chair, dead from heart failure at 2.30pm. His body was taken away. Skipper turned up and took me back to ship in car. Went to sick bay for half an hour. After dinner at 9.40, a fierce air raid started and went on until 3.30am. Devonport was completely destroyed. No sleep for anyone. One bomb ten yards from ship and several incendiaries on ship, but no damage. The worst night we had had.
Wednesday April 23rd. Mass of Thanksgiving at 7.45. Fr Alban came up with Fr Catterel after lunch. Very tired after working all night in the hospital where he was very nearly killed by a bomb but escaped by being on the right side of room. Another man was killed. Heard that Keyham church had been completely burnt out and went to see Canon Gaynor who was out with Fairie. Another very bad raid started at 9.45 and went on until 2. Many bombs very close to the ship and they got the tanks of oil on other side of water about 3/4 mile away which lit up the whole place.
Thursday April 24th. Mass 7.45. C in C was to have come at 10am but phoned just before 10 that he could not get to us. Fr Alban turned up for lunch, having been up for three nights for the blitz. No raid at night, although everyone expected it. 5000 people went into the country and a large number slept in the open. Went to see Canon Gaynor who was heart broken on account of the loss of his church.