Belfast was potential target for atomic bomb

Belfast was potential target for atomic bomb

Secret records have revealed Belfast was on a the list of likely targets for an atomic bomb attack during the 1950s.

The information emerged as documents dating from 1954 to 1956, at the height of the Cold War, were released under the Freedom of Information Act.


However the papers also show that officials at Whitehall were worried about the survival of food supplies – including particular fears about tea shortages – in case of an attack on the UK by both A (atomic) and H (hydrogen) bombs.

Belfast was on atomic bomb hitlist: Planners feared tea shortage after nuclear attack (Belfast Telegraph, 5 May 2008)