The bombing of Old Trafford

Collection of photos taken over Greater Manchester by US Army during war available to view for first time 

- PAUL BRITTON

A FASCINATING new collection of aerial photographs taken over Greater Manchester by the US Army during the Second World War has been revealed and is available for the public to view for the first time.

The black and white snaps were taken by US Army Air Forces (USAAF) Photographic Reconnaissance units, stationed at bases across England, in 1943 and 1944, after America joined the war in December, 1941.

The 3,600 photographs, now available through Historic England’s achieve, offer a birds-eye view of Greater Manchester and the country - and show just how much the landscape has changed. But they also illustrates the horrors of war. Bomb damage to Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium is captured from above in one image. Dated May 30, 1944, the photo, which also shows the old White City greyhound and speedway stadium in Old Trafford, details extensive damage to the roof of the stadium’s former South Stand, now the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand.

United’s Old Trafford ground was hit during a bombing raid in March 1941 and wasn’t used for football again until 1949.

The bomb was aimed at the industrial complexes of Trafford Park, but wrecked the pitch and foundations of the stands. Seats were wiped out and the stand’s roof collapsed.