If you look at a map of where bombs landed in Brighton during WW2, you can see that a high proportion of them hit the east of the town. 20 of those bombs struck on a single day: 14 September 1940.
The air raid
The raid took place at around 3.30pm that afternoon. A German Dornier bomber was chased by two British Spitfire fighter planes over the town. It is believed that the German pilot dropped his remaining bombs in quick succession in order to lose weight and outrun his pursuers.
The bombs hit the Kemp Town area of Brighton. Two hit the Odeon cinema, which was full of adults and children watching a matinee movie.
A Volunteer Aid Detachment Worker of the time describes the traumatic experience of witnessing the young victims in the Royal Sussex County Hospital:
52 people were killed in the raid, including several children. The youngest victims were two eleven month old babies.
The Odeon rebuilt
Remarkably the Odeon cinema in Kemp Town was rebuilt and back in business by the end of the year. The cinema reopened on 26 December 1940.
The rapid reopening of the cinema was encouraged by the owner of the Odeon chain, Oscar Deutsch. Although it clearly brought in revenue and provided a source of entertainment to the people of Kemp Town, it was also a sign that life would be rebuilt after such a traumatic attack.
Kevin Bacon, Digital Manager
(From Canada). I am now 93 years, but remember the bombing of the Odean . Kemp Town. It was a Saturday morning when special programmes were put on for children. I remember my Aunt & Uncle who lived nearby picked up blankets and bedding to put down on the ground for the injured.