CHRISTMAS 1940 was far from being a time of peace and goodwill for Sale residents who had to contend with the Blitz 75 years ago.

Fifteen months after the Second World War started, the town had to endure two nights of bombing from the Luftwaffe over two nights, on December 22 and 23.

A number of the town's landmark buildings were badly damaged - including the town hall.

The 'Christmas Blitz' has been chronicled by local historian George Cogswell in his latest booklet, 'The Sale Blitz, 1940-41'.

As well as the town hall, the Woolworths store on School Road, St Paul's Church and a town centre factory were also hit. These and a host of other fires stretched the fire brigade to its limit.

On the night of December 23 alone, there were 98 incidents in the Sale area. Fortunately, no-one was killed, but six people were seriously injured and 12 had minor injuries.

Sale Town Hall was hit by incendiary bombs, setting fire to its roof.

Through the efforts of the firefighters, the fire was confined to the council chamber and two committee rooms, part of the borough treasurer's office and a dance floor.

After the war, Sale's deputy town clerk at the time of the fire, Bertram Finch, wrote about how he and the town clerk, John Foulkes, had dashed to the town hall to save important documents.

The Woolworths' store, on School Road - next to the Bull's Head pub - was hit on the same night.

It took fire crews nine hours to extinguish the blaze.

Firemen were deployed to deal with a fire at St Paul’s Church, on Springfield Road, at 10.25pm on December 23.

Four jets were used and they quickly extinguished the flames, which destroyed the centre of the roof.

The factory that was hit was the Healthwear Clothing Company on Hayfield Street. The factory’s roof collapsed before the fire could be put out.

The previous night's air raids had seen a house in Brooklands, 4 Penrith Road, being destroyed. Neighbouring properties were severely damaged, and 10 people were injured in the incident.

On Derbyshire Road, a direct hit destroyed the front of a house, injuring two people.

A bomb landed on Sale Rugby Club, on Woodbourne Road, leaving a crated on the ground.

Although Sale did not suffer any fatalities in the raids, more than 800 people were killed in Manchester and its surrounding area - including 128 in Stretford - over the two nights of bombing.Sale's Savoy Cinema, on Ashfield Road, was used as a temporary morgue over the Christmas 1940 period.

* For a copy of George's book contact george.cogswell@virginmedia.com.