Came across the below(apologies if repeated) I cant find any further info re exact spot or damage. Possibly the most notable, and in a way controversial was the bombs that were dropped on the township of Harrow and the adjoining Wealdstone. Records have always shown that at 0330hrs on the morning of August 22nd 1940, the first bombs to be dropped on London were at Harrow. Geographically, in 1940 Harrow was in the county of Middlesex, the Greater London area did not extend as far as either Harrow or Wealdstone. But as far as the Civil Defence was concerned, Harrow was included and was within the boundaries of Civil Defence Area No.5 which was classed as the London area. To take the matter further, Harrow and Wealdstone also come under the durestriction of the London Metropolitan Police. Yet look in any gazetteer, and you will most certainly see Harrow and Wealdstone listed as being in Middlesex.
A couple of links that mention August and not September 1940 as when London received the first bombs. Timeline: The London Blitz 1940-1941 HowStuffWorks "World War II Timeline: August 20, 1940-September 11, 1940" Regards Tom
thanks Tom I do recall seeing an item in the past that the Luftwaffe used a guiding point in Harrow which was a sewerage works ( large round cleaning pond) next to the large Kodak works . regards Clive
Clive, I found this link with a date from Sepember 1939. WikiAnswers - When did germany first bomb england Regards Tom
thanks Tom I know that the large Kodak site was bombed and that is about 1000 yards as the crow flies from the memorial clock tower but this did happen in 1940 Also along the mainline Euston route in the grounds of Kodak there looks to be a large air raid shelter. anyway i will keep digging. regards Clive
First Day Of The Blitz - Naval & Military Press Then, on September 7th 1940, the long-awaited aerial assault began as fleets of German planes swept in to bomb the capital.
That Timeline link seems to have a couple of strange "facts" 2 raids both with 430 casualties and the Satan bomb? 7th September 1940 - the first real air raid of the London Blitz takes place. It comprised over 300 bombers escorted by more than 600 fighter planes. They started bombing the East End before they carried on to bomb the City and Central London. This raid caused more than 1000 fires 430 people were killed and 1600 badly injured. Damage was caused to two major power stations, homes and factories along the Thames and three major London railway stations. 17th September 1940 - a bomb hit Marble Arch Underground station killing 17 people. 18th September 1940 - the Lambeth Walk was destroyed as was the John Lewis department store in Oxford Street. 15th October 1940 - 430 people were killed in the bombing, five major railway stations were badly damaged, the City of London's watermain was also damaged as was the major Fleet sewer. By mid October there were around 250,000 people made homeless by the Blitz. 14th November 1940 - this dated signalled the end of the nightly raids on London. German bombers raided Coventry instead. 15th November 1940 - the Luftwaffe returns to London hitting almost every borough. It uses a new bomb nicknamed Satan - it was huge - 1800 megatons of high explosive and it was a delayed action bomb.
Kevin, I'm sure the original John Lewis is still on Oxford St. too. I walked passed it nearly everyday for around 8 years when I worked in the West End.
From the time line quote, post No 7. 15th November 1940 - the Luftwaffe returns to London hitting almost every borough. It uses a new bomb nicknamed Satan - it was huge - 1800 megatons of high explosive and it was a delayed action bomb. If this bomb went off there would be no London!! It must have been a "Max" of 2,500 Kilogrammes. I believe that this was the largest dropped by the Luftwaffe over Great Britain. Regards Tom
You lot sure .. Ive been forced off a train many a time at Harrow and Wealdstone station..you sure first bombs didnt hit there..looks like a bombed relic to me.
Drew yep saw the 1800 mega ton bomb wishful thinking urgh strange though Stonebridge Park, " the station building having been destroyed by bombing during the Second World War and subsequently burning down twice. "
Whilst looking for something else I came across an article in ATB's Blitz Vol. 1 that shows a picture of a plaque in London that says: ON THIS SITE AT 12.15 AM ON THE 25TH AUGUST 1940 FELL THE FIRST BOMB ON THE CITY OF LONDON IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR. The plaque is on Fore Street. Regards Andy
I remember that first big raid in September 1940 well, I was with my mother shopping in the High Street Walthamstow, at least I think it was that one. It was the first time I saw formations of Germans planes flying overhead with just the odd puff of ack-ack. They set the docks alight and came back that night to have another go. When I went to Germany in 1945 I saw that we got our own back. Used to watch the night raids by the RAF on Dusseldorf from a slit trench in Holland.
just found this link www.ContaminatedLAND.co.uk - Where the UXB's are buried - an around-London Guide a bit dated but interesting. mentions heavy metals etc contaminating the land via the UXB I would be more concerned about sitting on top 500kgs of high explosive.
S--t I,am surrounded by UXB's! I like the one in someones back garden. do'nt dig the spuds in too deep. Rob
Dont forget, the City of London is different to London! Whilst looking for something else I came across an article in ATB's Blitz Vol. 1 that shows a picture of a plaque in London that says: The plaque is on Fore Street. Regards Andy
