The Belfast Blitz was a series of four German air raids over the city of Belfast in April and May 1941 during World War II. German Luftwaffe bombers attacked military and manufacturing targets in Belfast city. About 1000 people were killed and bombs hit half the houses in the city, leaving 100000 people homeless. It was the worst wartime raid in the UK outside of London.

The story of Sheila the elephant who lived in Belfast zoo and who survived the Belfast Blitz has captured many people’s attention. A zookeeper called Denise Austin walked Sheila from the zoo to her house on the Whitewell Road each evening. Sheila slept in the garage and was fed hay. Each morning Sheila and Denise walked back to the zoo. After the war Sheila lived for another 25 years in Belfast zoo until her death in 1966.