Space Blitz: public lecture on 27 February
Tuesday, 19 February 2019
Date of the event: 27 February
Time: 19:00
Location: G10, Palmer Building
Coinciding with the anniversary of the British raid on Dresden, historian Patrick Major and space scientist Chris Scott will explore two different impacts of Second World War bombing raids.
Using documents and images from the National Archives, Professor Major will describe what it was like to be on the ground during the chaos and destruction of an air raid. Professor Scott will explain how a new analysis of wartime records by scientists at the Radio Research Station near Slough has helped Reading researchers today conduct an ‘experiment in the past’, showing how the blast waves from the bombs shook the edge of space.
The bombing of cities during the Second World War is still fiercely contested. To some, the Blitz against British cities and Allied raids over Germany were necessary battles, weakening the ability of an enemy to wage war. For others, the destruction of cultural landmarks and the deaths of around a million civilians worldwide were war crimes.
The University of Reading’s Public Lecture Series is a showcase of research highlights from across the University. Established over 45 years ago, these popular lectures are given by Reading academics eminent in their field and cover a wide range of topics.
Admission free but please book your place here.