National Events  

Local Raids

3rd September
War declared

September
The Phoney War

1939

Mid 1939
First air raid wardens appointed in Cardiff.

April 1940
The Phoney War ends

May / June
British troops retreat from Dunkirk, after Germans invade France.
July 1940
Air Raids on Britain
Aug - Sept 1940
The Battle of Britain.
September 1940 
The 'Blitz'

1940

19th June
'Spy raid' on Cardiff at night.

20th June
First bombs dropped in Cardiff on the Docks.

24th June.
Barbara's diary records early raids.

3rd September
Worst raid so far. Main target: Roath.

15th September
Bombs dropped in Wordsworth Avenue and Orbit Street. 5 killed, 23 injured.
May 1941
End of the 'Blitz.'
June 1941
The Germans invade Russia.

1941

2nd January
The Blitz comes to Cardiff. Extensive bomb damage. Roath badly hit.
Details recorded in  Barbara's Diary.

26th February.
Heavy  raid on Cardiff.
An account given in Barbara's Diary

3rd March.
Night raid on Cardiff. Churches and schools bombed. Marlborough Senior School destroyed.
References in Barbara's Diary

30 April 
Bombs dropped in Albany Road, Riverside and Cathays.

April - August  1942
'Baedeker' Raids on places of historic interest in Britain.

Germans begin to retreat in North Africa.

1942

April - August
Some raids. No serious incidents.
Allies invade Itlay

1943

18th May
Surprise raid kills 45 people.
6th June
D Day: Allies land in Normandy.
13th June.
Attacks by V-1 flying bombs begin.
Targets: London and the South coast.
8th September 
Attacks by V-2 long-range rockets begin.
London hit.

1944

29th April
Last air raid alert in Cardiff.

As a result of the Normandy invasion, V-1 and V-2 bombs were not dropped in Cardiff.
29th March
V-1 and V-2 bombings cease.
8th May
V.E. Day
Victory in Europe declared by Allies.

1945

8th May
V.E. Day celebrations begin in Cardiff.