The victims of a wartime tragedy that changed the face of Swansea forever are to be remembered on the 70th anniversary of their deaths.
The Swansea Blitz of February 19, 20 and 21 in 1941 claimed the lives of 230 people and left more than 400 injured.
Now a special Service of Commemoration will be staged at St Mary’s Church which was itself one of the buildings damaged by Nazi raiders on those fateful nights.
The service is being held on February 20 at 2.30pm. The Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan D Byron Lewis and Lord Mayor of Swansea Cllr Richard Lewis will join residents of all ages at the service which is part of a series of events to commemorate the disaster.
The air-raids of 1941 saw 1,273 high explosive bombs and 56,000 incendiary devices ravage the town centre as part of Hitler’s plan to bomb Britain into submission.
The Blitz destroyed more than 850 properties and damaged 11,000 buildings as many of the town’s iconic buildings were left in ruins.
The Lord Lieutenant said: “We hope the people of Swansea will join us to commemorate this very important Anniversary.
“It was a defining moment in the history of Swansea and affected the lives of so many people.
“The service is an opportunity to pay our respects and remember those who lost their lives, those injured and all those who helped rebuild the city after the horror of the Blitz.”
Lord Mayor Cllr Lewis said: “The devastation and appalling loss of life that happened 70 years ago has never been forgotten. It needs to be remembered by future generations so such a terrible event is never repeated.”
