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On 15 November 1940, the German Luftwaffe bombed Coventry in a massive raid which lasted more than 10 hours and left much of the city devastated.

One of the many buildings hit included the 14th century cathedral, which was all but destroyed.

The number of casualties was well over 1,400 and many injuried.

Reports say 4,330 homes were destroyed and three-quarters of the city's factories damaged.

The whole city was ringed with leaping flames, bathed in brilliant moonlight and a few searchlights were sweeping the smoke-filled sky.

Other targets included two hospitals, two churches, hotels, clubs, cinemas, public-shelters, public swimming baths, a police station and a post office.

The city's tram system was destroyed and most of the gas and water pipes were smashed.

Two days later King George VI visited Coventry to see the devastation caused by the German bombers.

The cathedral Provost, the Very Reverend Richard said: "The cathedral will rise again, will be rebuilt, and it will be as great a pride to future generations as it has been to generations of the past."

And Coventry was rebuilt.

A new cathedral was consecrated on 25 May 1962 and now stands alongside the skeleton of the war-damaged ruin.


In 1987, there were great celebrations when the Coventry football team took home the FA Cup after beating Tottenham Hotspurs at Wembley.

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