This paper describes a series of experiments set out to explore the strength of bending loaded impacted monolithic composite panels with different thicknesses. Two laminate thicknesses are tested, both exposed to the same impact event in a drop tower with 35 J using a spherical tup with a radius of 8 mm. Accompanying tests in compression are performed and reported to allow evaluation of the full effects of bending. A limited fractographic analysis is also performed to study damage distribution after impact as well as after mechanical tests. It has been demonstrated that damage distribution through the thickness affects the bending properties of the laminate as the failure load was lower when the side with the largest delamination was loaded in compression. As expected it has also been demonstrated that the far field failure strain is higher at bending compared to compression loading. © Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining 2009.