When the air raid sirens sounded at approximately 7pm, there was no panic as the sirens had been heard plenty of times before, but just a few minutes later the first German planes were heard and seen moving across the clear sky, lit up by the moon.
What followed was devastation in the city centre and across Sheffield with many buildings destroyed.
The biggest tragedy of the night occurred just before midnight when the Marples Hotel received a direct hit.
Only seven people were brought out alive; a number of victims were never recovered.
These photos from our archive take a look back at the night of the blitz and the wartime spirit that prevailed in the immediate aftermath.
17. Railway line
Blitz damage on the railway line at Little London Road, Sheffield, in December 1940 Photo: Vic Brough
18. Thank you
A thank you message appears in the rubble of this blitz damaged Sheffield home in December 1940 Photo: submitted
19. Damaged home
A family look through the window of their blitz damaged house at Shiregreen, Sheffield, in December 1940 Photo: ©Sheffield Newspapers Ltd
20. Salvage
Sorting household salvage after the blitz in Sheffield in December 1940 Photo: submitted