Ramsgate During the War
In the past, whenever anyone has decided to invade these shores, Ramsgate seems to have been in the front line. World war one didn't change any of that. On May 18th 1915 the first Zeppelin bombs fell on Ramsgate. The first of many. April of 1917 saw the bombardment of the town by German destroyers. The Zeppelins returned and on June 17th the town was rocked as they scored a direct hit on the ammunition dump in our harbour. The surrounding area was devastated. The fish market was lost, and over 700 houses were damaged.

The second world was broke out on September the 3rd 1939 and for Ramsgate and the neighbouring towns the nightmare had returned. The local airfield become a front line base. This made Ramsgate a prime target for the German bombers.

In 1940 4200 little ships left the harbour to take part in the evacuation of Dunkirk. Many never returned, but some 80,000 men were brought home safely.