Sheffield Blitz digital archive
Welcome to the Sheffield Blitz Digital Archive.
This archive accompanies the 85th Anniversary Collector's Edition of Sheffield's Date With Hitler and brings together more than 16 years of research.
Below you'll find over four hours of rare film, survivor testimony, photographs, maps and additional material.
We recommend bookmarking this page so you can return whenever you like. Click here to access the whole digital archive and watch/view in this order:
Gas Attack Drill
Begin your journey with this short film, which opens with ultra-rare footage of Sheffield in the immediate aftermath of the Blitz, including the visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. It concludes with remarkable pre-war footage of a gas attack drill centred on Barkers Pool and the top of Fargate, involving scores of ordinary Sheffield people as the city prepared for the possibility of war.
Forgotten Blitz Footage
Much of this extraordinary footage was thought to have been lost for many years. Journey through Sheffield in the aftermath of the Blitz and see if you can recognise familiar streets and landmarks. The film also includes the shot-down German aircraft displayed in the city centre, enhanced footage of the gas attack drill, barrage balloon training, wartime agricultural work around Sheffield, civil defence exercises and additional scenes from the Royal visit.
Graham Walker Interview
Recorded in front of a live audience at Sheffield Central Library, historian Neil Anderson talks to veteran journalist Graham Walker about the Sheffield Blitz, fifteen years of research into the attacks and some of the remarkable discoveries made along the way.
Blitz Kids
Recorded before a live audience in early 2026, Graham Walker and Neil Anderson interview Sheffield's 'Blitz Kids', whose vivid first-hand memories bring the events of December 1940 to life in a deeply moving and often surprisingly humorous discussion.
75th Anniversary of the Sheffield Blitz
This short commemorative film captures the city's emotional 75th anniversary remembrance event, held inside Sheffield Moor Market, bringing together survivors, families and members of the public to honour those who lived through the attacks.
Sheffield Blitz Exhibition & AI Brings WW2 Photos Back to Life
Produced to mark the unveiling of the permanent Sheffield Blitz exhibition at the National Emergency Services Museum, this film also explores how the National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported project has used artificial intelligence to restore and animate rare wartime photographs, allowing modern audiences to experience Sheffield's wartime story in an entirely new way.
Behind the Tour (Exclusive PDF)
This exclusive guide takes you behind the scenes of the Sheffield Blitz walking app. Neil Anderson explains why each location was chosen and shares additional research that couldn't be included elsewhere. Download the free Sheffield Blitz app from the App Store or Google Play, then follow the trail through the streets of Sheffield as Neil provides live commentary and AI brings rare wartime photographs back to life at the very places they were taken.
Understanding the German Target Maps (Exclusive PDF)
Learn more about the German military intelligence maps, what they reveal about Sheffield and how they compare with the actual pattern of bombing in December 1940.