Glentoran supporters remembers Blitz on ground in 1941

Glentoran’s compact Oval ground, not far from the Harland & Wolff shipyard and the Short and Harland aircraft factory, was almost destroyed when German bombers dropped 200 tonnes of high explosives during a night time raid.

The city had already suffered greatly as a result of an Easter raid weeks earlier but, realising that much of Belfast’s support for the war effort was still operational, the Luftwaffe returned on May 4, 1941.

Almost 1,000 people lost their lives in the two attacks on the factories and docks - the highest number of air raid fatalities after the Blitz on London.

Organised by the Glentoran Community Trust (GCT), the series of events and displays includes a historical re-enactment parade from St Patrick’s Church on the Newtownards Road to the Oval. The parade leaves the church at 6.45pm and is being led by the pipes and drums of the Royal Irish Regiment.

Among the many artefacts on display at the Oval will be a full-sized replica Spitfire, an original World War Two searchlight and anti-aircraft gun, and two fully restored fire tenders, returning to the city from Co Dublin and Co Louth having last crossed the border in 1941 to help battle the fire storm engulfing Belfast.

Sam Robinson of the GCT said: “It is an evening or remembrance and commemoration. The Blitz, its effect on the club and the community of east Belfast, has always played a significant part in the history of Glentoran FC.

“The story of the destruction and subsequent long road back to peace and normality in the years after the war has been handed down from generation to generation.”

Commenting on Wednesday night’s itinerary, Mr Robinson added: “You will be able to go up and sit in the stand, look out over Belfast, listen to the story, and at the end of it we have created a five-minute soundscape of the noise of the Blitz which we are going to play over huge speakers.

“That will echo the whole way through east Belfast - the air raid sirens, the planes coming in, the anti-aircraft guns opening up, the bombs dropping and the bells of the fire engines.

“We have opened the doors and just said to the whole community, ‘if you want to come down to remember and stand beside us, it’s all free’.”

“As darkness falls our club chaplain David Thompson will host a small service of remembrance, incorporating a minute’s silence, before we call upon members of the emergency services and representatives of the army who were stationed in the pill box on May 4th 1941 to lay wreaths on the Oval pitch.”