Plymouth History

HMS Plymouth: Then & Now HMS Plymouth was built in Plymouth, launched by Nancy, Viscountess Astor in Plymouth, and her home port  was Plymouth. During her near three decade career in the Royal Navy, she is most remembered for her service in the Falkland Islands conflict in 1982. HMS Plymouth was one of the first of the British Fleet to arrive in the Islands following the Argentinian invasion and took part, alongside HMS Antrim, Brilliant and Endurance, in the recapture of South Georgia. Despite being badly damaged in an Argentine attack in June 1982, the eventual surrender of the Argentinian forces in South Georgia was signed in her ward room.  HMS Plymouth was eventually decommissioned out of the Royal Navy in 1988, and thanks to a campaign by a group of volunteers led by former Plymouth Devonport MP, Dr David Owen (now Baron Owen of Plymouth), she was preserved for the nation and went on display in, yep, you've  guessed it - Plymouth. After a short spell on the Clyd

"Where the bombs fell" Seven nights in late March and late April 1941 were among the worst Plymouth has ever seen . In recent nights I tried to give an "as live" account of the events of March 20th and 21st 1941 under the hash-tag #PlymBlitzLive via @PlymouthHistor1 on Twitter. It's not easy trying to convey the stories of damage, destruction and loss of life that was wrought on the city in 140 characters or less, and even less so to do justice to the bravery and heartbreak of the people who lived, and died, during the Luftwaffe attacks. I do feel that it is still a worthwhile exercise, and something that I would like to continue for the April 1941 raids. There are a wealth of published research resources available which record the Plymouth Blitz, and all are worth reading. In particular I would recommend Gerald Wasley's "Blitz" and it's big brother "Plymouth: A Shattered City", and Chris Robinson's revised edition of H.