Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:19:17-1:19:26

Was HMS Victory targeted during the Blitz?

Bombs fell close to HMS Victory at Portsmouth, but the surviving evidence does not show that German raids singled her out.

HMS VictoryPortsmouthThe BlitzWorld War II
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Question

Was HMS Victory deliberately targeted by German bombing during the Blitz?

Short answer

Apparently not. Bombing came close, but she does not seem to have been singled out as a target.

Notes

German bombing came close to HMS Victory during the Blitz, but no evidence cited here identifies the historic ship as a specific target. Portsmouth's importance as an active naval base already made the surrounding area a major objective. Proximity to bomb damage does not by itself demonstrate deliberate targeting of the preserved warship.