![]() ![]() The contrast between the number of bombs that fell on Acocks Green, and other parts of Birmingham, compared with Solihull was most marked. All householders were asked to leave gates and doors open (even though this made a house very cold)so that firefighters could access fire quickly. Stirrup pumps, needing two men to operate them, were issued to Fire, and Air Raid Precaution Wardens to put out the fires. In 1942 a new, larger type was brought into use and these had an explosive charge, so were much more dangerous. The incendiary bombs were small, often thrown many at a time in baskets, and could be slow to start a fire. Maps of Birmingham covering 1940-43 showed the number of high explosive (blue dots) and incendiary bombs (red dots) which landed. The shadow factory was a new building replacing a market gardening business and it was not demolished until 1975. ![]() ![]() Unlike those in Germany, such shadow factories were not hidden away in woods, but were opened in towns to save transporting staff and to demonstrate that Britain was rearming before the war started. It had been visited in March 1938 by King George VI. There was a great deal of bombing of Acocks Green, partly because of the Rover Shadow Factory making part for aircraft beside the canal. Talk given on 21 October 2019 by Mike Byrne to Solihull Local History Circle ![]()
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