Amidst this chaos, German aircraft unleashed incendiary bombs across London, igniting both banks of the Thames and resulting in the deaths of nearly 3,600 British civilians.
The targeting of the English capital by the Germans commenced back in August, in retaliation for the British assaults on Berlin. A horrific firestorm erupted in September within London’s most impoverished areas as German planes released 337 tons of bombs on docks, overcrowded neighborhoods, and bustling streets. The “London Blitz” claimed countless civilian lives.
On December 29, the extensive devastation not only affected civilians but also led to significant losses of London’s cultural heritage. Numerous historic structures faced severe damage or complete destruction as unyielding bombings ignited 15,000 individual fires. Among the architectural landmarks that fell victim to the German onslaught were the Guildhall (the city’s administrative hub, established in 1673 and housing a 15th-century vault) and eight churches designed by Christopher Wren. Although St. Paul’s Cathedral caught fire, courageous and persistent firefighters managed to prevent its total destruction. Additionally, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and the House of Commons Chamber experienced hits, albeit with less severe damage.
The task of combating the fires was exacerbated by an unfortunate low tide, which complicated water retrieval efforts.