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Introduction

In both world wars, the London Underground network provided much needed shelter from the horrors of air raids. These dangers were first experienced by civilians during the First World War, with German airships and aircraft particularly targeting London and the south east. The newness of this threat, as well as the casualties and destruction it caused, led to thousands seeking shelter in Tube stations.

By the Second World War, the extensive use of bomber aircraft against London and major cities was widely anticipated. While there was an initial reluctance to use the Underground for sheltering again, the ferocity of air raids during the Blitz in 1940-41 drove people to Tube stations in large numbers. In response, provisions for sheltering became more organised and London Transport was commissioned to build a series of deep-level shelters. These were put to use, along with Tube stations, during a renewed German air offensive in 1944-45.

A new threat

The first ever air raid on London took place on 31 May 1915, prompting the use of Underground stations as shelters. Conditions were basic, but many were willing to cope with discomfort for the relative safety that Tube stations offered.

Londoners also had to get used to the very first use of ‘blackout’ – with street lights extinguished and internal lighting concealed – to make it more difficult for German airships to find targets. On the surface parts of the Underground network, trains were fitted with blinds or had their interior lights turned off during raids.

London’s searchlights and anti-aircraft defences initially proved ineffective. It was not until September 1916 that British fighter aircraft were able to intercept and destroy their first airship. From 1917 Germany increasingly used bomber aeroplanes, particularly large Gotha bombers, instead of airships. Between June 1917 and May 1918 German bombers attacked London 17 times. In the whole of the war, 667 people were killed and 1,936 injured in raids on London. It could have been many more had the Tube not provided valuable shelter.

Under attack

Air raids were anticipated in the run up to the Second World War, particularly on London. Air Raid Precautions (ARP) plans were put in place and 1.25 million people were evacuated from London in August and September 1939, with London Transport heavily involved. Yet this time the authorities were reluctant to use the Underground network as a source of shelter, partly due to a misconception that doing so could have a detrimental impact on civilian morale and behaviour.

The ferocity of the Blitz changed everything. On 7 September 1940 the first raid of this near continuous period of bombing left 430 dead and 1,600 injured. This was nearly the same number of casualties as sustained in all the raids on London in the First World War.

Thousands flocked to the natural shelter of the Underground network, forcing a rapid change of policy. Deep-level Tube stations again became dual-purpose spaces, with shelterers bedding down for the night on walkways, platforms and even de-electrified tracks.

Sheltering in stations became better organised, with improved facilities and ticketing to ensure fairness and avoid overcrowding. There was even the ‘Tube Refreshments Special’, a train service that delivered sustenance to shelterers. Conditions remained basic. For many, this became part of wartime daily life.

Over the next eight months until the Blitz ended in May 1941, around 30,000 civilians in London were killed.

Renewed offensive

The huge impact of the Blitz on London, and the re-use of the Tube network as shelter, led to London Transport being commissioned to construct eight purpose-built deep-level shelters. These were completed by 1942, by which time air raids on London had significantly diminished.

However, in response to the Allied landings on mainland Europe in June 1944, Nazi Germany launched a renewed air offensive. From July 1944, Germany began using V1 flying bombs, and later V2 rockets, particularly against London and the south east. People again sought refuge in Tube stations and the newly opened deep-level shelters. As Allied land forces advanced and took the German launch sites, the raids came to an end in March 1945. In total, these attacks using V-weapons resulted in over 30,000 casualties.

The stories and objects presented here can be seen in the ‘Shelter’ section within the London’s transport at war gallery at the Museum.

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