Dublin - North Strand

On the night of May 31, 1941, the German air force (Luftwaffe) carried out a small air raid on Dublin. Four high-explosive bombs were dropped in an area called North Strand, killing 28 people, injuring 90 and destroying or damaging about 300 buildings. Since Ireland declared itself neutral during the war, the motive for the attack has been unclear. It may have been a retaliation on the part of Germany because Dublin fire brigade assisted the british counterpart in Belfast, which was bombed by the germans in April of the same year. It may also have been a mere provocation on the part of Germany to force Ireland into the war. But it could also be a warning from the German side to remain neutral.