I am writing in answer to the letter in The Argus (November 20) by Ivor Levett, who appears to be "having a go" at Adam Trimingham's review of a new book just published called War In The City II.

Adam stressed that this book covered the time from 1942 to 1945. The Odeon bombing took place on September 14, 1940, and so was not covered in this book. It is covered in War In The City Part I.

Having mentioned about the Odeon bombing, Mr Levett goes on to say that the children in the cinema made up the majority of fatalities. I am sorry, but he is wrong. Five children died in the cinema although a number of other children died in nearby streets.

There were 50 fatalities on that day which made the raid the worst regarding fatalities in one raid.

Regarding the damage to the Preston Road Viaduct in May 1943, it was repaired in just six weeks, a wonder achievement.

The repair was co-ordinated by two brothers, Benjamin and Edward Garnett, who after the repair were both awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) at Buckingham Palace. A full account of this air raid is contained in a book called Out Of The Blue.

  • David Rowland, Harvest Close, Telscombe Cliffs

    With regard to the air raid on the Odeon, Kemp Town, on Saturday, September 14, 1940, the film show was not a children's morning performance as it took place at about 3.40pm. Two children and two adults were killed outright and ten others died of their injuries later in the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

One film, It Could Happen to You, had just finished and The Ghost Comes Home had started at 3.30pm and was showing when the bomb exploded in the cinema's north-eastern corner by the screen. This bomb was part of a stick of six bombs which caused enormous damage and loss of life across the Kingscliffe and Kemp Town areas.

In his letter, Mr Levett also refers to the bombing of the Preston Road Viaduct. This was the raid in which I lost most of my toys as they were stored in one of the damaged houses. I had been safely evacuated with my school to Somerset.

  • Peter Bailey, Beaconsfield Villas, Brighton

    Reading about the air raids in Brighton, the one at the school clinic in Circus Street was one of the worst (The Argus, November 20). The two children who were killed were my brother and sister. One was seven years old, the other was nine.

My mother, who was inside the clinic, was badly hurt. It was a dreadful time for us all.

  • J Smith, Lavender Street, Brighton