London During the Blitz (color photos)
Seventy-five years ago, Hitler ordered the German air force to carry out a series of aerial bombings across London, during an eight-month period of bloody violence which inflicted unparalleled devastation across the capital.
Now a series of colour photos have gone on display showing the full horror of the destruction caused by the Nazi bombings during what later became known as The Blitz.
The attacks, which took place between September 1940 and May 1941, killed more than 43,000 people and left more than one million homeless. Citizens were forced to huddle in bomb shelters for protection, or take cover among the rubble, as Goerings bombers dropped 50,000 tonnes of explosives across the city.
As well as thousands of homes being destroyed, hundreds of buildings in the heart of the financial district were set ablaze in what became an almost nightly pounding of the city. Scores of Christopher Wren churches were destroyed while, during one horrific onslaught just after Christmas Day, the 15th-century Guildhall was also set on fire.
The Luftwaffe's Second World War Blitz finally dwindled after mid-1941, but the terrifying 267-day campaign became a defining moment in British history, a touchstone for the stoic spirit with which countrymen and women soldiered on, despite the devastation unfolding around them.
The poignant images are now being displayed in Manchester's Imperial War Museum North as part of Horrible Histories: Blitzed Brits at IWM North. The exhibition, which runs until early 2016, features personal stories, objects, photographs, art works, film clips and sound recordings.
Look out: A spotter from the Auxillary Territorial Service (ATS) uses binoculars at the anti-aircraft command post during her watch in December 1941, at the height of the Blitz. A 3.7-inch anti-aircraft gun is seen in the background
Rubble: The iconic St Paul's Cathedral stands defiant above the surrounding devastation caused by the bombing raids
The Auxiliary Territorial Service is pictured firing 3.7-inch anti-aircraft guns during a night-time bombing raid
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3161346/The-Blitz-brought-life-Incredible-colour-pictures-London-looked-height-aerial-onslaught-WW2.html#ixzz3gWegW8Hj
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3161346/The-Blitz-brought-life-Incredible-colour-pictures-London-looked-height-aerial-onslaught-WW2.html
Tags
Who is online
79 visitors
London during the blitz, a look back in pictures
Follow the link for more great pictures and a video
I am leaving a comment, so that I can come back! We just got back from my son's MRI, and I'm going to take a nap...
I just watched a program on the this. Really interesting with a ton of actual film.
Great photos RIO.
Wonderful pictures!
What a thing to have to live through! I've read several books that describe the bombing, and how London coped. Remember the movie, Mrs. Miniver? Gosh, this was truly historic!
Thanks for these wonderful pictures!
Dowser
Rest well dear Dowser and I hope all went well with the doc
Kavika
Thanks I am glad you liked them - it as a tough time in England for sure.
I saw a documentary a while back on the Battle of Britain and the article just caught my eye