The WWII Blitz on Manchester: History, Impact and UXO Risks
During the Second World War, Manchester was a key cog in Britain’s industrial machine. A hub of textile manufacturing, engineering, and munitions production, it played a vital role in supporting the Allied war effort. However, this significance also placed it firmly in the crosshairs of the Luftwaffe (German Air Force).
The Blitz on Manchester, especially the infamous December 1940 raids known as the “Christmas Blitz,” left deep scars, many of which still linger today in the form of unexploded ordnance (UXO). As the city continues to grow, redevelop, and build, those wartime remnants can pose a hidden risk, especially for construction and infrastructure projects.
Why Manchester Was Targeted
Manchester was one of Britain’s most important cities during WWII. Previously known as “Cottonopolis” for its historic dominance in the textile trade, it had also become an industrial giant producing aircraft, engines, ammunition and other materials essential for the war effort.
The city’s dense network of factories, railway yards, and canals made it a high-value target for Germany’s campaign of strategic bombing. Hitler hoped to damage the UK’s manufacturing capabilities, disrupt vital transport infrastructure, and weaken public morale.
To protect these vital industrial areas from aerial attack, a network of bombing decoy sites was established. One such site was located at Carrington Moss, commissioned in December 1940 as a ‘Permanent Starfish’ decoy to divert Luftwaffe bombers away from Manchester. Controlled fires were lit during raids to mimic urban areas, while later enhancements, known as ‘QL’ decoys, simulated dock and factory lighting. Additional decoy sites were located at Chat Moss and Astley Moss, forming part of a broader defence strategy to protect Manchester’s docks and industrial heartland.
The Christmas Blitz
On the nights of 22nd and 23rd December 1940, the Luftwaffe unleashed a sustained bombing campaign on Manchester. This pattern of hitting cities on consecutive nights was deliberately used to inflict maximum destruction. Around 467 tonnes of high explosive bombs and nearly 2,000 incendiaries fell on the city across the two nights.
Major landmarks were hit, including:
- Manchester Cathedral, severely damaged by a parachute landmine.
- The Royal Exchange, hit directly by a bomb causing serious damage.
- The Free Trade Hall, severely damaged resulting in the interior being completely rebuilt.
- Deansgate and Oxford Road, blocked with debris and unexploded bombs.
- Mainline rail stations, including Victoria and Exchange, partly destroyed.
Much of the city centre was left in ruins. Overstretched and under-equipped fire crews battled more than 600 blazes. Many of Manchester’s full and part-time firefighters had not yet returned from Liverpool, where they had been assisting with fires caused by earlier air raids.
During the Christmas Blitz, around 684 people were killed, over 2,000 were injured, and thousands were left homeless. In the aftermath, water supplies were disrupted, and electricity had to be rationed.
Beyond the City Centre
While Manchester bore the brunt of the December raids, surrounding areas weren’t spared. Salford, Stretford, and Trafford, now part of Greater Manchester, were hit repeatedly throughout the war.
Factories in Trafford Park, then one of the largest industrial estates in Europe, were bombed in attempts to disrupt production. Trafford Park was home to the Ford Motor Company, which had shifted from making cars to producing aircraft engines for the war effort. Aircraft manufacturer, A V Roe was also based at Trafford Park, where ‘Manchester’ and ‘Lancaster’ bombers were assembled. The aircraft factory in Mosley Road was badly damaged in a bombing raid, resulting in the loss of the first 13 MV-built Avro Manchester bombers in final assembly.
Manchester United Football Club was also impacted by the war, with their stadium, Old Trafford, being temporarily repurposed as a military supply depot. Although football continued to be played at the stadium, during the Christmas Blitz it sustained significant damage. A further raid on 11th March 1941 destroyed much of the South Stand, forcing the club to relocate operations. Manchester United did not return to Old Trafford until August 1949.
Additionally, nearby Salford Quays, now a thriving media and business district, was once dockland crucial to canal and rail freight. During WWII, its importance made it a prime target, and it too suffered bombings. One devastating attack occurred on 1st June 1941, in an air raid that killed 87 civilians. The old Salford Royal Hospital on Chapel Street was hit, and among the casualties were 14 trainee nurses and one tutor, who were sheltering in the basement when a blast from the nurses’ quarters struck.
Unexploded Ordnance in Manchester
Not every bomb dropped by the Luftwaffe exploded. In fact, an estimated 10% of munitions failed to detonate. These bombs, known as UXO, may remain buried today and can still pose a threat decades later.
There have been multiple discoveries of suspected WWII UXO in Manchester and surrounding areas in recent years, including:
- November 2015: An unexploded bomb was found at a former munitions factory in Greater Manchester on the site of a new housing development.
- October 2018: Manchester city centre was evacuated after an unexploded tank cartridge was discovered on a building site.
- October 2021: Moss Lane in Salford was evacuated after a suspected WWII bomb was found in a garden.
Such incidents are a reminder of the unseen risks beneath our feet, particularly when working on brownfield sites, canal-side developments, and near key wartime infrastructure.
How UXO Risks Can Affect Today’s Projects
Manchester continues to expand. Major housing developments, transport upgrades, and commercial builds are taking shape across the city, many of which are on land that was bombed or industrialised during the war.
Brimstone UXO provides specialist support to help developers and contractors assess and mitigate UXO risks ahead of their construction projects. Our services include:
- UXO Risk Assessments: using historical records, bomb census maps, Luftwaffe target data, and site-specific history, we assess the likelihood of both enemy and allied UXO contamination on your site.
- UXO Surveys: we offer both Intrusive and Non-Intrusive UXO Surveys which explore beneath the ground and detect buried ferrous objects that could be unexploded ordnance.
- On-Site UXO Support: we can deploy UXO engineers to site to support your construction and development activities, in the form of a Watching Brief, Borehole Support or Search and Clear.
We’ve supported hundreds of projects across the North West, including brownfield redevelopments, canal restoration work, and new housing near industrial estates.
A City Rebuilt, But Not Without Risks
Manchester’s story is one of resilience. After the Blitz, the city rebuilt itself into a global centre of culture, education, and business, but beneath the modern skyline and regenerated neighbourhoods, the legacy of war still lingers.
UXO isn’t just a problem of the past – it’s a real risk that must be managed today.
Whether you’re planning a construction project in Salford Quays, a new housing scheme in Trafford, or a civil engineering programme in Manchester city centre, understanding the site’s wartime history is essential.
How Brimstone UXO Can Help
We’re here to support safe development across Manchester and the North West. Our risk assessments, UXO surveys and on-site mitigation services help reduce delays, manage hazards, and keep your people safe.
Get in touch with our Commercial team to discuss your project, or visit our website to learn more about how we help clients navigate the hidden risks of wartime ordnance.
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