The Swansea Blitz was the heavy and sustained bombing of Swansea by the German Luftwaffe during the Second World War, the most intensive episode of which was the Three Nights' Blitz from 19 to 21 February 1941, during which a total of 230 people were killed and 391 injured, 254 seriously. Swansea was selected by the Germans as a legitimate strategic target due to its importance as a port and docks and the oil refinery just beyond, and its destruction was key to Nazi German war efforts as part of their strategic bombing campaign aimed at crippling coal export and demoralizing civilians and emergency services.