Just after 3:30pm on Thursday March 11th 1943, an estimated 2o Focke-Wulf 190s attacked the town from inland, having cross the Channel at Fairlight. They attacked at high speed and low altitude, dropping at least 25 high explosive bombs. The bombs caused extensive damage across Hastings and St Leonards, hitting Silverhill Junction, St Matthew’s Schools, Strood Road, Alma Terrace, Alma Villas, Perth Road, Adelaide Road, Battle Road, Aldborough Road, Clarence Road, Salisbury Road, King Edward Avenue, Salisbury Road, Bohemia Road, Springfield Road, Combermere Road, Burry Road, Blomfield Road, Holmesdale Gardens & St Helens Road.
The human cost was the worst the town would suffer in a single day, with 38 people dead and 90 others wounded, 39 seriously.
At least one bomb exploded in the Silverhill Junction area, severely damaging properties in the area including numbers 5 and 7 Sedlescombe Road North.
Seven people died as a result:
Frederick Gower
Edith Harmer
Freda Jeffery
Edith Read
Doris Sargent
Rosalie Sargent
Edward Hayler