Event review - Remembering WWII in Birmingham

On 5 June 2024, as part of #BISA2024, speakers Brian Wright (Vice Chairman of BARRA - Birmingham Air Raids Remembrance Association) and Matt Felkin (Archivist for BARRA) gave a fascinating talk about the forgotten history of the Second World War with artifacts and photos from the period on display. 

The history of The Blitz on Britain during World War II concentrates mainly on London and Coventry. Other cities and towns were also severely hit due to their economic/industrial importance. Ports such as Liverpool and centres of industry, such as Birmingham, were heavily bombed by the Luftwaffe. Nevertheless, this history has been marginalised within the national memory of WWII. The talk explained the history of wartime Birmingham and explored some of the reporting restrictions and the stories of these cities that are rarely reported or mentioned today.