 Hermann Goering, head of the "Luftwaffe", had remarked that the Civic Centre appeared like a "piece of cake" from the air, and that he was going to "cut himself a slice".During the raid twelve bombs were dropped, including a direct hit on the Civic Centre with a 500lb high explosive.The bomb penetrated to the lower floors of the art gallery killing 35 people, including 15 children, who were having an art lesson in the basement.