On Friday 9th July 1943, ten German Aircraft crossed the Sussex coast at Hastings heading for London.

One of the aircraft detached itself from the group and headed for East Grinstead.

That afternoon, 184 people where watching a film starring Hopalong Cassidy at the Whitehall Cinema on London Road. The film was interrupted by an air raid warning at approximately 5.05pm, but as there had been many false alarms not many people took notice and they carried on watching the film.

The aircraft circled over East Grinstead 2 or 3 times before dropping a bomb in the town at approximately 5.10pm. The aircraft then circled the town once again, lowered, and opened fire.

The roof of Whitehall Cinema exploded as a bomb struck. The roof split in two and the entire structure caved in. Adults and children died instantly in their seats.

Bombs also fell in the high street destroying many shops, one being A & C Bridgeland, an Ironmongers. Unfortunately 500 gallons of paraffin was stored in the basement, and this exploded. The blast swept through the parade of shops, destroying Bridgeland's and Rice Bros next door and causing the rear of the Sainsbury's branch to collapse.

As a result of the raid, 108 people where killed and 235 people were seriously injured. It was the largest loss of life in any air raid in Sussex.

For more Information, pictures and to hear a first hand account of the explosion Click Here.