In May, we recall the tragic events of The Fire Raid of the Belfast Blitz that took place on 4th-5th May 1941, as well as the happier times of V.E. Day in 1945.
1st May 1941
Among those remembered on 1st May, are soldiers with connections to Northern Ireland who died serving with the Royal Horse Artillery in Libya.
2nd May 1940
On 2nd May 1944, 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers sustained several casualties with connections to Northern Ireland while fighting in Anzio, Italy.
3rd May 1941
On 3rd May 1941, Steam Coaster S.S. Corbet struck a mine in the mouth of the Mersey off Herculaneum Dock en route from Garston to Belfast with a cargo of coal.
4th May 1941
On 4th May 1941, Luftwaffe bombers made their way from mainland Europe to Northern Ireland, wreaking havoc across Belfast in what became known as The Fire Raid.
5th May 1941
On 5th May 1941, Belfast awoke to scenes of death and destruction in the aftermath of the Fire Raid of the Belfast Blitz; the heaviest raid on the city.
6th May 1941
On 6th May 1941, Lieutenant Bainbridge was at a military vehicle maintenance school in Lisburn. Two years later, he photographed a bridge in Co. Londonderry.
7th May 1941
On 7th May 1941, photographer Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge observed the damage caused throughout north and east Belfast in the aftermath of the Fire Raid.
8th May 1941
On 8th May 1941, a photographer on Bridge Street, Belfast took an iconic shot of a soldier looking towards the damaged offices of the Northern Whig newspaper.
9th May 1942
On 9th May 1942, Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge photographed development work underway at Larne Harbour and the salvage of S.S. Fairhead at Dufferin Dock, Belfast.
10th May 1942
On 10th May 1942, a third contingent of U.S. Army troops and nurses arrived at Dufferin Dock, Belfast. Among them was the injured Sergeant Galen W. Quinn.
15th May 1942
On 15th May 1942, Lieutenant Bainbridge photographed No. 21 Mobile Dental Unit of the Army Dental Corps at work in a converted caravan in Warrenpoint, Co. Down.
19th May 1942
On 19th May 1942, Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge photographed soldiers of the British Army's infantry training in the use of camouflage and street fighting tactics.
20th May 1941
On 20th May 1941, Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge photographed soldiers of 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers enjoying scenic rural Northern Ireland.
21st May 1941
On 21st May 1941, an accident took place resulting in the death of a 19-year-old serving in 70th (Young Soldiers) Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
30th May 1940
On 30th May 1940, many soldiers with connections to Northern Ireland were caught up in the evacuation of Dunkirk, on the beaches or fighting in the rear guard.
