1942: Messages from the Norwich Raids

This city-wide audio trail, launched on Remembrance Day 2022, has been created by a group of young people to mark the 80th anniversary of the Baedeker raids on Norwich in World War Two.

The Baedeker Raids were bombing raids in 1942 which targeted historic cities including Norwich. This free interactive trail consists of 50 audio recordings which tell the story of what happened when Hitler bombed our city.

To create the content for the trail, the group interviewed local historians including Nick Stone and Jo Hook, along with people who experienced the raids first hand. They have recorded some facts about the raids, captured stories and interviews and written and recorded poetry inspired by the moving stories they discovered.

To access the audio trail, download the free Echoes app in the App or Google play store and simply search "1942: Messages from the Norwich Raids".

The audio trail coves listening points across Norwich city centre - detailed information is on the Echoes app, or you can pick up a leaflet from the Museum of Norwich for an introduction to the trail and the area it covers.

Alternatively, for those who are unable to access the app or are unable to complete a walk around the city, all the recordings will soon be available on the Norfolk Museums Service YouTube account. For the hard of hearing, hard copy transcripts are available from the Museum of Norwich and Norwich Millennium Library at the Forum.

This project has been managed by Norfolk Museums Service through the Kick the Dust youth engagement programme funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, made possible by players of the National Lottery.

Suitable for all ages.

Image: Aylsham Road, 1942 and now, picture courtesy of Nick Stone, Invisible Works