What was London Like in 1940?

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What was London Like in 1940? – London Photos 75 Years Later

On the occasion of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the end of the bombings in London, in WWII, the artist and photographer Jim Dyson Recreation several scenes of the bombings with images of the past and current.

These are images to commemorate the 75th anniversary since the Blitz, combining images of wartime destruction. London scenes from 1940 with current scenes to show the damage suffered by the city during World War II.

St Pancras – King Cross Station

Comparison between a scene from the Nazi bombing of London from 1940-1941 (known as the ‘blitz’) and London today. May 11 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the offensive. The black and white image (taken on September 19, 1940) shows an area near St Pancras – King Cross station, after the bombs fell. The color image (dated May 3, 2016) shows a view of the British Library and the St Pancras hotel.

St Pancras - King Cross station - What was London Like in 1940?
St Pancras – King Cross station – What was London Like in 1940?

 

 

Pall Mall – What was London Like in 1940?

This file image (October 15, 1940) shows a car wrecked by the bombing, in Pall Mall, London. The current image shows the state of the same street today. The aerial bombardment known as the ‘Blitz’ lasted eight months during the initial phases of World War II, including 57 consecutive nights of attacks in London.

Pall Mall - What was London Like in 1940?
Pall Mall – What was London Like in 1940?

Berkeley Square

Comparison of the current state of Berkeley Square with the same place on April 29, 1942, after an aerial bombardment. On May 10, 1941, the Luftwaffe, perpetrated the last great bombing of the ‘Blitz’ in London, known as ‘The darkest night’, in which more than 20,000 people died in the British capital, a million and a half citizens were they were left homeless and the city’s landscape changed more than at any time since the great fire of 1666.

Berkeley Square - What was London Like in 1940?
Berkeley Square – What was London Like in 1940?

Leicester Square

The Blitz, from the German word “blitz” meaning “lightning war”, lasted from September 1940 to May 1941.

Leicester Square on May 3, 1941 and today.

What was London Like in 1940?
What was London Like in 1940?

 

Portman Street

Most of Britain was attacked by Nazi Germany from the sky, with destruction seen in Coventry, Bristol, Birmingham, Southampton, Sheffield, Manchester, Cardiff, Portsmouth and many other cities. London suffered the worst attacks, including 57 consecutive nights of air attacks. .

Portman Street on September 19, 1940 and April 21, 2016.

London Photos 75 Years Later
London Photos 75 Years Later

 

Holborn Circus

The first day of the aerial bombardment on September 7, 1940 was known as “Black Saturday” for the destruction that was caused to the city and its inhabitants. That day 430 people were killed and 1,600 wounded in the attacks, according to the Imperial War Museum.

Holborn Circus in 1941 and in 2016 6 Holborn Circus in 1941 and in 2016.

What was London Like in 1940?
What was London Like in 1940?

Buckingham Palace – What was London Like in 1940?

Exterior view of Buckingham Palace on September 14, 1940 and today. 7 Exterior view of Buckingham Palace on September 14, 1940 and today.

London Photos 75 Years Later - Buckingham Palace
London Photos 75 Years Later – Buckingham Palace

 

Royal Exchange and Bank tube station

Aspect of the Royal Exchange and Bank tube station after a blitz bombing and today 8 Aspect of the Royal Exchange and Bank tube station after a blitz bombing and today.

What was London Like in 1940? - Royal Exchange and Bank tube station
What was London Like in 1940? – Royal Exchange and Bank tube station

 

Bounds Green tube station

In the black and white image (from October 16, 1940), a group of Londoners take refuge inside Bounds Green tube station. The color image shows the same station on May 1, 2016.9 In the black and white image (from October 16, 1940), a group of Londoners take refuge inside Bounds Green tube station. The color image shows the same station on May 1, 2016.

London Photos 75 Years Later - Bounds Green tube station
London Photos 75 Years Later – Bounds Green tube station

Westminster Abbey – London Photos 75 Years Later

The last major incursion into the capital took place on the night of May 10, 1941, when German bombers dropped 711 tons of high explosives, killing 1,436 people on that day.ย 

Interior of Westminster Abbey in 1941 and in 2015.10 Interior of Westminster Abbey in 1941 and in 2015.

What was London Like in 1940? - Westminster Abbey
What was London Like in 1940? – Westminster Abbey

River Thames – Tower Bridge

The bombs fell on Waterloo Station, the British Museum and the Houses of Parliament. this particular attack became known as “The Longest Night”.

The River Thames on September 7, 1940 and April 25, 2016 11 The River Thames on September 7, 1940 and April 25, 2016.

London Photos 75 Years Later
London Photos 75 Years Later

Harrington Square

A bus leaned against a building in Harrington Square, Mornington Crescent, after one of the first Blitz bombings, on September 9, 1940. The bus was empty at the time, but 11 people died in the houses. Current photo (from April 21, 2016) shows social housing near Mornington Crescent. 12 A bus leaning against a building in Harrington Square, Mornington Crescent, after one of the early Blitz bombings, on September 9, 1940. The bus was empty at the time, but 11 people died in the houses. Current photo (April 21, 2016) shows social housing near Mornington Crescent.

London Photos 75 Years Later
London Photos 75 Years Later

Strand Street – London Photos 75 Years Later

Strand Street in 1940 and 2016 13 Strand Street in 1940 and 2016.

What was London Like in 1940?
What was London Like in 1940?

 

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