Oral History collection: Mr A. L. D. Birt interviewed by Unknown about Second World War and Three Nights' Blitz of Swansea.

Archive Unit
  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 216 TH 76
  • Dates of Creation
      20 Jan. 1980
  • Language of Material
      English
  • Physical Description
      1 audio recording

Scope and Content

Track 1. [00:00:09] Second World War: Interview with Mr Birt who was highways engineer in Swansea during the war. [00:01:35] Second World War: Started a shifts at Clydach depot at 6pm and was in charge of the telephone. First night of the three night Blitz. [00:02:14] Second World War: Bomb dropped on Pontardawe road, Clydach, but was on a tip so there was no damage. [00:02:56] Second World War: Describes journey back to his home in Pennard through Swansea after the first night of the Blitz. [00:04:41] Second World War: Describes 'shambles' of bomb damage in Swansea Town. Fire Brigade still in action so ARP and Police had to wait. [00:06:09] Second World War: Bomb damage around St Helens area. [00:06:53] Second World War: De la Beche school, by Albert Hall, completely demolished. [00:07:50] Second World War: Swansea Hospital bomb damage - his was the only car on the road. [00:08:45] Second World War: Describes bomb damage at Albert hall and burning gas mains. [00:09:43] Second World War: Damage to Ben Evans, Wind Street and St Marys Church. [00:10:39] Second World War: 2nd and 3rd nights of the Blitz he watched as the bombers returned from his home in Pennard. [00:11:21] Second World War: Planes were flying so low. All targeting same area - the Docks. [00:12:09] Second World War: Lit diversionary fires on Clyne Common to obviate the bombing of Swansea and Fairwood aerodrome. [00:13:19] Second World War: Battery of rockets at St Georges playing fields. [00:14:33] Second World War: Anti aircraft guns at Kittle. [00:15:22] Second World War: Spitfires and other planes at Fairwood Aerodrome. Watched them attacking the bombers planes. [00:17:42] Second World War: Describes people from Swansea walking down to Pennard to sleep there to get away from the Blitz. [00:19:52] Second World War: After the Blitz the people left the safety of the golf links at Pennard and walked back to their homes in Swansea to see the damage.