Second World War Bombing

1940-1944

Cosham suffered significant bomb damage during the Second World War, particularly during the Blitz of January 1941 when Portsmouth was heavily targeted by the Luftwaffe. The proximity of the railway junction and the main road to the dockyard made Cosham a target. Several streets were hit, and houses, shops and community buildings were destroyed or damaged. Residents took shelter in the tunnels and casemates of the Portsdown Hill forts during air raids. The damage to the High Street and surrounding streets required substantial postwar rebuilding.