Recording of tv programme About Britain: Bath Blitz Apr 24-25 1942 written and presented by Martin Wainwright. Still and moving images of destruction in aftermath of bombing, extract of colour film made by Dunscombe family to show in USA for fund raising. Plaque on Francis Hotel. Baedeker raids on historic towns. Luftwaffe following Avon Valley to Bath. Eyewitness accounts of being bombed and machine gunned from Ron Shearn, Sir Denis "Splinters" Smallwood (leader of squadron at Charmy Down) in the Assembly Rooms, Canon James Kelly, Muriel Gough, Kathleen Muse. Destruction of shelters and Half Moon pub, and rescue efforts. Full mortuary. Looting. Evacuation of city to outlying villages including chapel at Dunkerton, and Wellow. People salvaging possessions on their return a week later. Derelict control tower at Charmy Down and efforts at air defence. Ineffectiveness of defence despite presence of Admiralty and war effort industry at Stothert and Pitt. Pathe News film. Bath Evening Chronicle photographs of damage to Assembly Rooms, New King Street, Landsown Place East, Royal Crescent, Julian Road, St John's Catholic Church (censored until after war). 70 people killed in public shelters. Inside a domestic shelter in Bloomfield Road, Odd Down. Graves of Blitz victims at Haycombe Cemetery. Pathe Gazette newsreel of royal visit of HRH George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Bath. Followed by 11 minute silent film with time code and intertitles including The CIty of Bath results of 1942 air raids. Showing Bath Abbey, sign about Mayor's relief fund, scenes of aftermath and devastation in city centre, bombed St John's Catholic Church, Seymour Hotel, Assembly Rooms, cemetery NB contains potentially disturbing graphic eyewitness accounts
