Clydebank Blitz

Clydebank Blitz

On 13 and 14 March 1941, Clydebank was the target of one of the most intense Luftwaffe bombing raids of World War II. Each night, over 200 German bombers attacked, aiming to destroy naval, shipbuilding and munitions targets.

Incendiary bombs were dropped, starting marker fires to assist further waves of bombing. Fires at Singer's timber yards, Yoker Distillery and Old Kilpatrick's oil depot resulted in the greatest damage to industry. Clydebank's housing bore the brunt of the raids. Of 12,000 homes, 4,000 were completely destroyed. Only seven properties were undamaged. The official death toll records 528 casualties. Many argue the figure should be far higher.

After the war a complete redevelopment plan created new housing and facilities on the outskirts, allowing the heavily-damaged centre to be restructured.