[97] Of this total around 400 were killed. Between 1940 and 1945, over 52,000 civilians were killed in Britain during bombing raids by German aircraft. Far from displaying the nation's unity in times of war, the scheme backfired, often aggravating class antagonism and bolstering prejudice about the urban poor. With no sign of the RAF weakening and the Luftflotten suffering many losses, OKL was keen for a change in strategy. Predictions had underestimated civilian adaptability and resourcefulness. To support the operations of the army formations, independent of railways, i.e., armoured forces and motorised forces, by impeding the enemy's advance and participating directly in ground operations. [10] Bombing failed to demoralise the British into surrender or do much damage to the war economy; eight months of bombing never seriously hampered British war production, which continued to increase. Other targets would be considered if the primary ones could not be attacked because of weather conditions. [139], Probably the most devastating attack occurred on the evening of 29 December, when German aircraft attacked the City of London itself with incendiary and high explosive bombs, causing a firestorm that has been called the Second Great Fire of London. [28], The Luftwaffe's poor intelligence meant that their aircraft were not always able to locate their targets, and thus attacks on factories and airfields failed to achieve the desired results. [35][104][105], On 14 October, the heaviest night attack to date saw 380 German bombers from Luftflotte 3 hit London. The primary target of NAZI Germany was to destroy the civilian center and industries on London. Only one bomber was lost, to anti-aircraft fire, despite the RAF flying 125-night sorties. KGr 100 increased its use of incendiaries from 13 to 28 percent. The estimate of tonnes of bombs an enemy could drop per day grew as aircraft technology advanced, from 75 in 1922, to 150 in 1934, to 644 in 1937. It would prove formidable but its development was slow. Authorities expected that the raids would be brief and in daylight, rather than attacks by night, which forced Londoners to sleep in shelters. Two heavy (50 long tons (51t) of bombs) attacks were also flown. They also noted regional production was severely disrupted when city centres were devastated through the loss of administrative offices, utilities and transport. 219 Squadron RAF at RAF Kenley). Nine days later, two waves of 125 and 170 bombers dropped heavy bombs, including 160 tons (163t) of high explosive and 32,000 incendiaries. By 16 February 1941, this had grown to 12; with 5 equipped, or partially equipped with Beaufighters spread over 5 Groups. He fell asleep at the controls of his Ju 88 and woke up to discover the entire crew asleep. [149] This strategy had been recognised before the war, but Operation Eagle Attack and the following Battle of Britain had got in the way of striking at Britain's sea communications and diverted German air strength to the campaign against the RAF and its supporting structures. Civilians left for more remote areas of the country. On September 13, 1940, shortly after the start of Germany's bombing campaign on the towns and cities of Britain, five high explosive bombs were dropped on Buckingham Palace. People were forced to sleep in air raid shelters, and many people took shelter in underground stations. 8200 tons (8,330t) of bombs were dropped that month, about 10 percent in daylight, over 5400 tons (5,490t) on London during the night. The Blitz referred to the bombing of most major British cities by the Germans in World War II. 7 September 1940 In the run up to 7 September, the night the Blitz began, the Luftwaffe had targeted RAF airfields and radar stations for destruction in preparation for the German invasion of the. The maps help to contextualize the staggering statistics from the Blitz: in London alone, there were 57 consecutive nights of bombing. Committees quickly formed within shelters as informal governments, and organisations such as the British Red Cross and the Salvation Army worked to improve conditions. Operating over home territory, British aircrew could fly again if they survived being shot down. : The Blitz 1940 971941 510 : Blitz But the Blitz started in earnest on the afternoon of 7 September when the German Luftwaffe filled the skies in the first major daytime raid on London. [119] The Ministry of Home Security reported that although the damage caused was "serious" it was not "crippling" and the quays, basins, railways and equipment remained operational. [195] Many sites of bombed buildings, when cleared of rubble, were cultivated to grow vegetables to ease wartime food shortages and were known as victory gardens.[196]. With the doors to our museums physically closed, we are offering some exclusive World War II content from our galleries and collections. News reports of the Spanish Civil War, such as the bombing of Barcelona, supported the 50-casualties-per-tonne estimate. In late 1943, just before the Battle of Berlin, Harris declared the power of Bomber Command would enable it to achieve "a state of devastation in which surrender is inevitable". All but one railway station line was blocked for several weeks. However, meteorological conditions over Britain were not favourable for flying and prevented an escalation in air operations. [31], The circumstances affected the Germans more than the British. [35][36], It was also possible, if RAF losses became severe, that they could pull out to the north, wait for the German invasion, then redeploy southward again. [175], Between 20 June 1940, when the first German air operations began over Britain, and 31 March 1941, OKL recorded the loss of 2,265 aircraft over the British Isles, a quarter of them fighters and one-third bombers. The production of false radio navigation signals by re-transmitting the originals became known as meaconing using masking beacons (meacons). [13] British wartime studies concluded that most cities took 10 to 15 days to recover when hit severely, but some, such as Birmingham, took three months. [145], In 1941, the Luftwaffe shifted strategy again. Liverpool and its port became an important destination for convoys heading through the Western Approaches from North America, bringing supplies and materials. Dowding had introduced the concept of airborne radar and encouraged its usage. The mines' ability to destroy entire streets earned them respect in Britain, but several fell unexploded into British hands allowing counter-measures to be developed which damaged the German anti-shipping campaign. [93], For industrial areas, fires and lighting were simulated. At around 8.30pm on Sunday 13 October, a high-explosive bomb plunged through the Coronation Avenue flats on Stoke Newington High Street, and exploded directly above a shelter made up of three interconnected basements. A further attack on the Clyde, this time at Greenock, took place on 6 and 7 May. The attack started at 16:43 and lasted for 12 hours. Rapid frequency changes were introduced for X-Gert, whose wider band of frequencies and greater tactical flexibility ensured it remained effective at a time when British selective jamming was degrading the effectiveness of Y-Gert. The year-long project . Around 200 people were killed and another 2,000 injured. [141][failed verification] Altogether, 130 German bombers destroyed the historical centre of London. [19] General Walther Wever (Chief of the Luftwaffe General Staff The light guns, about half of which were of the excellent Bofors 40 mm, dealt with aircraft only up to 6,000ft (1,800m). [157] Air attacks sank 39,126 long tons (39,754t) of shipping, with another 111,601 long tons (113,392t) damaged. In recent years a large number of wartime recordings relating to the Blitz have been made available on audiobooks such as The Blitz, The Home Front and British War Broadcasting. [34] It has also been argued that it was doubtful the Luftwaffe could have won air superiority before the "weather window" began to deteriorate in October. The bombings left parts of London in ruins, and when the war ended in 1945 much of the city had to be rebuilt. [94], On 15 September the Luftwaffe made two large daylight attacks on London along the Thames Estuary, targeting the docks and rail communications in the city. On September 7, 1940, 350 German bombers escorted by fighters bombarded London on consecutive successions. [35], While Gring was optimistic the Luftwaffe could prevail, Hitler was not. An average of 200 were able to strike per night. Over 2,000 AAA shells were fired, destroying two Ju 88s. Much of the city centre was destroyed. [98] The fighting in the air was more intense in daylight. The Luftwaffe dropped around 40,000 long tons (40,600t) of bombs during the Blitz, which disrupted production and transport, reduced food supplies, and shook British morale. [76], Despite the attacks, defeat in Norway and France, and the threat of invasion, overall morale remained high. [88] Bomber crews already had some experience with the Lorenz beam, a commercial blind-landing aid for night or bad weather landings. [citation needed] This image entered the historiography of the Second World War in the 1980s and 1990s,[dubious discuss] especially after the publication of Angus Calder's book The Myth of the Blitz (1991). [168] The Blenheim had only a small speed advantage to overtake a German bomber in a stern-chase. [136] The Germans were surprised by the success of the attack. Roads and railways were blocked and ships could not leave harbour. Much damage was done. An unknown number of bombs fell on these diversionary ("Starfish") targets. Around 66,000 houses were destroyed and 77,000 people made homeless ("bombed out"[158]), with 1,900 people killed and 1,450 seriously hurt on one night. The electronic war intensified but the Luftwaffe flew major inland missions only on moonlit nights. [127] Other sources say 449 bombers and a total of 470 long tons (478t) of bombs were dropped. A trial blackout was held on 10 August 1939 and when Germany invaded Poland on 1 September, a blackout began at sunset. German crews, even if they survived, faced capture. Other units ceased using parachute flares and opted for explosive target markers. [42], Although it had equipment capable of doing serious damage, the Luftwaffe had an unclear strategy and poor intelligence. To reduce losses further, strategy changed to prefer night raids, giving the bombers greater protection under cover of darkness. The building of London's Royal Docks introduced a new world of commerce to the capital. Cardiff was bombed on three nights; Portsmouth centre was devastated by five raids. [22], Two prominent enthusiasts for ground-support operations (direct or indirect) were Hugo Sperrle the commander of Luftflotte 3 (1 February 1939 23 August 1944) and Hans Jeschonnek (Chief of the Luftwaffe General Staff from 1 February 1939 19 August 1943). What he saw as the mythserene national unitybecame "historical truth". [39] The attacks were focused against western ports in March. Ingersol wrote that Battersea Power Station, one of the largest landmarks in London, received only a minor hit. The word "blitz" comes from the German term. On 15 September, on a date known as Battle of Britain Day, a large-scale raid was launched in daylight, but suffered significant loss for no lasting gain. dodged bombs to make her way across London from her aunts house to dance class. Home Secretary Sir John Anderson was replaced by Morrison soon afterwards, in the wake of a Cabinet reshuffle as the dying Neville Chamberlain resigned. Democracies, where public opinion was allowed, were thought particularly vulnerable. [68], Although only a small number of Londoners used the mass shelters, when journalists, celebrities and foreigners visited they became part of the Beveridge Report, part of a national debate on social and class division. American observer Ralph Ingersoll reported the bombing was inaccurate and did not hit targets of military value, but destroyed the surrounding areas. [115] In the initial operations against London, it did appear as if rail targets and the bridges over the Thames had been singled out: Victoria Station was hit by four bombs and suffered extensive damage. The pilot flew along an approach beam, monitored by a ground controller. [179] Though militarily ineffective, the Blitz cost around 41,000 lives, may have injured another 139,000 people and did enormous damage to British infrastructure and housing stock. An interactive map showing the location of bombs dropped on London during World War II has been created. Loge continued for 57 nights. [80], Pre-war dire predictions of mass air-raid neurosis were not borne out. (PROSE: Ash, TV: The Empty Child) It lasted from 7 September 1940 to 21 May 1941. [179], Some writers claim the Air Staff ignored a critical lesson, that British morale did not break and that attacking German morale was not sufficient to induce a collapse. [156] Other sources point out that half of the 144 berths in the port were rendered unusable and cargo unloading capability was reduced by 75 percent. Harold Macmillan wrote in 1956 that he and others around him "thought of air warfare in 1938 rather as people think of nuclear war today". [84], The attitude of the Air Ministry was in contrast to the experiences of the First World War when German bombers caused physical and psychological damage out of all proportion to their numbers. London experienced regular attacks and on 10-11 May 1941 was hit by its biggest raid. "Bombing of London" and "London Blitz" redirect here. The Children's Overseas Reception Board was organised by the government to help parents send their children overseas to four British Dominions Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Reflections made by factory skylights were created by placing lights under angled wooden panels. [22], Hitler paid less attention to the bombing of opponents than air defence, although he promoted the development of a bomber force in the 1930s and understood it was possible to use bombers for strategic purposes. [133] By mid-November, nine squadrons were available, but only one was equipped with Beaufighters (No. [149], A further line in the directive stressed the need to inflict the heaviest losses possible, but also to intensify the air war in order to create the impression an amphibious assault on Britain was planned for 1941. Included are activities that Ultimately, the Russian royal family reached a . British anti-aircraft defences (General Frederick Alfred Pile) fired 8,326 rounds and shot down only 2 bombers. An American witness wrote "By every test and measure I am able to apply, these people are staunch to the bone and won't quit the British are stronger and in a better position than they were at its beginning". They have usually been treated as distinct campaigns, but they are linked by the fact that the German Air Force conducted a continuous eleven-month offensive against Britain from July 1940 to June 1941. [51], British air raid sirens sounded for the first time 22 minutes after Neville Chamberlain declared war on Germany. The Battle of Britain Contact Us 0207 608 5516 Call today: 9am - 5.30pm [131] Whitehall's disquiet at the failures of the RAF led to the replacement of Dowding (who was already due for retirement) with Sholto Douglas on 25 November. [92] The counter-operations were carried out by British Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) units under Wing Commander Edward Addison, No. [164], In the north, substantial efforts were made against Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Sunderland, which were large ports on the English east coast. X- and Y-Gert beams were placed over false targets and switched only at the last minute. On 9 April 1941, Luftflotte 2 dropped 150 tons (152t) of high explosives and 50,000 incendiaries from 120 bombers in a five-hour attack. Between 1940 and 1941, the Germans attacked Britain by bombing London. Around 250 tons (9,000 bombs) had been dropped, killing 1,413 people and injuring 3,500 more. [90][91], Y-Gert was an automatic beam-tracking system and the most complex of the three devices, which was operated through autopilot. In comparison to the Allied bombing campaign against Germany, casualties due to the Blitz were relatively low; the bombing of Hamburg alone inflicted about 40,000 civilian casualties. [b] The British had anticipated the change in strategy and dispersed its production facilities, making them less vulnerable to a concentrated attack. The docks drew produce and people from all over the world; they survived the bombings of World War II and the economic downturn of the 1970s and 80s to become a hive of industry and activity once again. Plymouth was attacked five times before the end of the month while Belfast, Hull, and Cardiff were hit. Warehouses, rail lines and houses were destroyed and damaged, but the docks were largely untouched. [149] Some 50 Junkers Ju 87 Stuka dive-bombers and Jabos (fighter-bombers) were used, officially classed as Leichte Kampfflugzeuge ("light bombers") and sometimes called Leichte Kesselringe ("Light Kesselrings"). [56] Not only was there evacuation over land, but also by ship. [57] The programme favoured backyard Anderson shelters and small brick surface shelters. Only a few weeks after the British victory in the Battle of. [170] On 19 November, John Cunningham of No. The RAF and the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) adopted much of this apocalyptic thinking. Destroying RAF Fighter Command would allow the Germans to gain control of the skies over the invasion area. German intelligence suggested Fighter Command was weakening, and an attack on London would force it into a final battle of annihilation while compelling the British Government to surrender. Still, in February 1941, there remained only seven squadrons with 87 pilots, under half the required strength. It hoped to destroy morale by destroying the enemy's factories and public utilities as well as its food stocks (by attacking shipping). Anti-Jewish sentiment was reported, particularly around the East End of London, with anti-Semitic graffiti and anti-Semitic rumours, such as that Jewish people were "hogging" air raid shelters. [92], German beacons operated on the medium-frequency band and the signals involved a two-letter Morse identifier followed by a lengthy time-lapse which enabled the Luftwaffe crews to determine the signal's bearing. [189] The "Communist threat" was deemed important enough for Herbert Morrison to order, with the support of the Cabinet, the cessation of activities of the Daily Worker, the Communist newspaper. [129] AA defences improved by better use of radar and searchlights. Its round-the-clock bombing of London was an immediate attempt to force the British government to capitulate, but it was also striking at Britain's vital sea communications to achieve a victory through siege. Timeline How Allies Broke The Deadlock | First World War EP6 | Timeline Biographer Reveals Audrey Hepburn's . By September 1940, the large-scale German air raids which had been expected twelve months earlier finally arrived. All but seven of its 12,000 houses were damaged. [45] This method condemned the offensive over Britain to failure before it began. [142] Civilian casualties on London throughout the Blitz amounted to 28,556 killed, and 25,578 wounded. The Royal Chapel, inner quadrangle and Palace gates were hit, and several workmen were injured. Seeschlange would be carried out by Fliegerkorps X (10th Air Corps) which concentrated on mining operations against shipping. The first attack merely damaged the rail network for three days,[102] and the second attack failed altogether. Summerfield, Penny and Peniston-Bird, Corina. To support naval operations by attacking naval bases, protecting German naval bases and participating directly in naval battles. [87] Dowding accepted that as AOC, he was responsible for the day and night defence of Britain but seemed reluctant to act quickly and his critics in the Air Staff felt that this was due to his stubborn nature. On occasion, only one-third of German bombs hit their targets. [12], Five nights later, Birmingham was hit by 369 bombers from KG 54, KG26, and KG55. [135] In particular, the West Midlands were targeted. The aerial bombing was now principally aimed at the destruction of industrial targets, but also continued with the objective of breaking the morale of the civilian population. The cities and the capital were bombed until the following morning, leaving more than 430 dead and over 1600 people badly injured. Direction-finding checks also enabled the controller to keep the pilot on course. Let us find out other historical facts about London Blitz below: Facts about London Blitz 1: the German intelligence This is a Timeline of the United Kingdom home front during World War II covering Britain 1939-45.Timeline of the United Kingdom home front during World War II covering Britain 1939-45. As the mere threat of it had produced diplomatic results in the 1930s, he expected that the threat of German retaliation would persuade the Allies to adopt a policy of moderation and not to begin a policy of unrestricted bombing. [137] Around 21 factories were seriously damaged in Coventry, and loss of public utilities stopped work at nine others, disrupting industrial output for several months.