This is an edited extract from a broadcast by a war correspondent, Ernst von Kuhren, who flew with a Luftwaffe squadron that bombed Belfast on Sunday, 4 May 1941. Read it and answer the questions which follow. I can really say that I could not believe my eyes. When we approached the target, at half-past two, we stared silently into a sea of flames such as none of us had seen before. In Belfast there were not a large number of fires, but just one enormous fire which spread over the entire harbour and industrial area. Here the English had concentrated an important part of their war industries because they felt themselves safe, far up in the North. This had come to an end.

Leaving Cert History IRL (3) - Sovereignty & impact of partition: This is an edited extract from a

This is an edited extract from a broadcast by a war correspondent, Ernst von Kuhren, who flew with a Luftwaffe squadron that bombed Belfast on Sunday, 4 May 1941 - Leaving Cert History - Question A - 2011

Question A

This is an edited extract from a broadcast by a war correspondent, Ernst von Kuhren, who flew with a Luftwaffe squadron that bombed Belfast on Sunday, 4 May 1941. Re... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:This is an edited extract from a broadcast by a war correspondent, Ernst von Kuhren, who flew with a Luftwaffe squadron that bombed Belfast on Sunday, 4 May 1941 - Leaving Cert History - Question A - 2011

Step 1

What evidence does the extract provide that von Kuhren was surprised by what he saw?

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Answer

Von Kuhren expresses his disbelief by stating, "I could not believe my eyes". This indicates a strong sense of astonishment at the scale of destruction he witnessed.

Step 2

What part of Belfast was attacked?

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Answer

The extract mentions the entire harbour and industrial area of Belfast as being attacked, highlighting the significant impact on local infrastructure.

Step 3

Why was Belfast an important target?

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Answer

Belfast was a crucial target because it housed a large portion of England's war industries. The text states that the English had concentrated an important part of their war industries there, emphasizing its strategic significance.

Step 4

What lesson would be learned?

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Answer

A key lesson from this event is that the perceived safety of Northern Ireland was illusionary. The intense bombing highlighted the vulnerability of regions previously thought secure.

Step 5

How did the Irish government in Dublin respond to the bombing of Belfast?

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Answer

While the extract does not explicitly mention the response of the Irish government, one can infer that the bombing prompted considerations about national security and the need for a stronger defense approach, potentially affecting political relations between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

This is an edited extract from a broadcast by a war correspondent, Ernst von Kuhren, who flew with a Luftwaffe squadron that bombed Belfast on Sunday, 4 May 1941 - Leaving Cert History - Question A - 2011

Worked Solution & Example Answer:This is an edited extract from a broadcast by a war correspondent, Ernst von Kuhren, who flew with a Luftwaffe squadron that bombed Belfast on Sunday, 4 May 1941 - Leaving Cert History - Question A - 2011

What evidence does the extract provide that von Kuhren was surprised by what he saw?

What part of Belfast was attacked?

Why was Belfast an important target?

What lesson would be learned?

How did the Irish government in Dublin respond to the bombing of Belfast?

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