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m20 factory bombed

hi another snippet of history,worth a read for any night owls still computing loads of info on there this bit from wikipedia . BSA workers employed making the M20 were killed in an air raid on the BSA factory in Armoury Road, Small Heath, Birmingham on the night of Tuesday the 19th of November, 1940. The factory was one of the main targets for the Luftwaffe and at 9.25pm a low flying aircraft dropped two bombs which destroyed the southern end of the BSA building in Armoury Road. Rescuers included BSA's own fire brigade who pumped the Birmingham and Warwick canal dry putting out the fire. As well as 53 workers killed, 89 were injured and it was six weeks before the last of the bodies could be recovered. Much of the factory and equipment was destroyed or damaged but BSA had 67 factories so work was transferred elsewhere and production of the BSA M20 continued. at least we can rest in our beds goodnight

email (option): richardholt@rocketmail.com

Re: m20 factory bombed

The killed workers had opted to maintain production rather than seek safety of the shelters, their selfless sacrifice was a shining example of the bulldog spirit, however when a request for a small memorial was requested from the council the request was refused with the curt reply that all those that died in Birmingham during the war were already honoured elsewhere in a general memorial to all war dead workers. Not all who put themselves in harms way were soldiers, and I think this pennypinching by the council is sad testament.

The 'Made in Birmingham' website carries more details about this.

Cheers
Chris C.

email (option): c.coxon@blueyonder.co.uk

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