Uncovering Sheffield’s Forgotten War Stories
For over 15 years, Sheffield author Neil Anderson has dedicated himself to answering one question: What really happened to my family during the Sheffield Blitz?
His research has now culminated in the Sheffield Blitz – The Definitive Collection, a project that aims to dispel over 85 years of myths and half-truths surrounding the devastating World War II attacks on Sheffield.
This collection isn’t just a history book — it’s a deep dive into Sheffield’s darkest nights, piecing together first-hand survivor accounts, never-before-seen documents, and newly unearthed German bombing maps that redefine the city’s wartime narrative.
The Sheffield Blitz: More Than Two Nights of Bombing
Most people associate the Sheffield Blitz with two harrowing nights in December 1940. However, Anderson’s research explains the years of fear, resilience, and survival, experiencing numerous air raid alarms and multiple attacks throughout the war.
This year marks 85 years since the Sheffield Blitz, making the collection’s release even more significant. Anderson explains:
“So many people from the Sheffield Blitz generation never spoke about their experiences. But I’ve conducted scores of interviews over the past 15 years with people late in life who finally wanted to explain what they went through.”
Newly Discovered German Bombing Maps Reveal Shocking Truth
Among the biggest revelations in Sheffield Blitz – The Definitive Collection are three newly discovered German bombing maps that challenge long-held beliefs about the Luftwaffe’s objectives. Contrary to the widely accepted notion that Sheffield’s armament factories were the primary targets, these maps reveal something far more chilling.
Anderson states:
“I was always baffled by the bombing pattern—why were areas like Totley, Dore, and Millhouses hit, miles away from the East End factories? Schools, hospitals, and railways were heavily bombed. These maps prove the Luftwaffe wasn’t just targeting industry—it was a full-scale terror raid designed to break Sheffield’s spirit.”
The maps cover Attercliffe, Tinsley, and Catcliffe, but also unexpected locations such as the city centre, Hillsborough, Meersbrook, Ecclesall, Heeley, and Norfolk Park. The armament factories were listed as secondary targets, while residential areas, hospitals, and transport infrastructure were marked as primary targets.
Sheffield’s Forgotten Evacuation Crisis
Unlike many other British cities, Sheffield had one of the lowest evacuation rates in the country. Thousands of children—including Anderson’s own father — remained in the city throughout the war, living just yards away from vital armament factories that made Sheffield a prime Luftwaffe target.
The Blitz was far from Sheffield’s only air raid. The city endured multiple attacks throughout the war, culminating in the final air assault on Christmas Eve 1944, when a V1 rocket (Hitler’s ‘vengeance weapon’) struck Sheffield—four years after the initial bombings.
Sheffield Blitz – The Definitive Collection: A Landmark in War Research
Neil Anderson’s groundbreaking collection brings together:
✅ Four large-format coffee table books, all first editions, personally signed by Anderson. They include hundreds of rare and unseen photos, survivor interviews, and never-before-published primary sources.
✅ Three German bombing maps of Sheffield, revealing the actual Luftwaffe targets for the first time.
✅ A free bonus book detailing Sheffield’s first-ever air raid—a Zeppelin attack in 1916.
✅ Full casualty records listing every individual who died in Sheffield during WWII, with their name, age, date of death, and location.
✅ A detailed bomb map of Sheffield, showing where every bomb landed.
✅ Access to the Sheffield Blitz Walk App & Guided Memorial Walk.
✅ A certificate of authenticity and luxury gift box.
Preserving Sheffield’s Wartime Legacy
The Sheffield Blitz killed and wounded over 2,000 people, leaving nearly a tenth of the city homeless. Over 300 Luftwaffe bombers attacked Sheffield, razing much of the city centre and destroying iconic stores like Atkinsons, Walsh’s, and Cockaynes.
Anderson’s research challenges long-held assumptions about these events, proving that Sheffield’s population itself—not just its industry—was the real target of Hitler’s terror raid.
📖 Click here to discover the full story in Sheffield Blitz – The Definitive Collection
