Eastbourne is thought to be the most bombed coastal town in the South-East, having sustained 112 attacks in World War II.
The worst ever bombing raid on Eastbourne took place on April 3 1943 when 10 enemy aircraft dropped 12 bombs on the town centre.
Prior to this, in 1939, Eastbourne was considered a ‘safe zone’ and even welcomed thousands of evacuees from London.
See below to view photos of life during World War II and the destruction left behind by the bombings.
The worst ever bombing raid on Eastbourne took place on April 3 1943 when 10 enemy aircraft dropped 12 bombs on the town centre.
![A bomb destroyed the front of the Berkeley Club in Trinity Place on October 8, 1940. There were three separate air raids in one afternoon on this day. (Copy photo by Jon Rigby)](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmIzYTNkNDQ1LTAwZDAtNDU4Mi1hYmNlLWVhYWU4NGJmZGZmODo2NTQzY2ViZi1hNTYwLTRmM2QtOWRhZS0wNmU2YjM1MzI4MTE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
5. Eastbourne during the Second World War
A bomb destroyed the front of the Berkeley Club in Trinity Place on October 8, 1940. There were three separate air raids in one afternoon on this day. (Copy photo by Jon Rigby) Photo: JON RIGBY
![Damage to the rear of a pair of semi detached houses in Northbourne Road on October 6 1940 (Copy photo by Jon Rigby)](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjNiM2QzZTI2LTQ5MzItNDQ4Yi1iMzY2LTU1ZWQ4ZDg3N2JiZjpmNWQzYzYwZi02NmMzLTQ0ZTktYjBkNi1jMDM5N2I1ZGRkY2M=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
6. Eastbourne during the Second World War
Damage to the rear of a pair of semi detached houses in Northbourne Road on October 6 1940 (Copy photo by Jon Rigby) Photo: JON RIGBY
![Bobby's, now Debenhams, suffered a near miss on October 8 1940 (Copy photo by Jon Rigby)](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjIzYjRjMGRiLTkwYmYtNGU0MS04NzQ5LTI5ZjExZjgwZTJlOTo1OTM4YjM4ZC0xZDA1LTRmY2UtYjU0Zi1hODhiNjQ3MjllYzk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
7. Eastbourne during the Second World War
Bobby's, now Debenhams, suffered a near miss on October 8 1940 (Copy photo by Jon Rigby) Photo: JON RIGBY
![Commandos of the Second World War in Eastbourne](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmQ0M2M1OGU3LWFjNTQtNGQ3MS04MDU4LTY2ZGFmNDFjZWE3YjplNzFjZDliNC1kZWUxLTQ5MjMtYTE1MS0wOGE4YWNmZmIzYjc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=655)
8. Commandos of the Second World War in Eastbourne
Commandos of the Second World War in Eastbourne Photo: contributed