Tag Archives: Luftwaffe

This week in the War, 4–10 December 1944: Phasing out the Blackout

Posted on December 9, 2016 by secondbysecond

This week in the war throughout the British Isles from 9 December 1944 on, premises were no longer required to be blacked out when the air raid sirens sounded. The Luftwaffe was no longer perceived to be a threat, and light … Continue reading →

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This week in the War, 5–11 May 1941: London Blitz, the night of 10/11 May 1941

Posted on May 6, 2013 by secondbysecond

Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, the British Museum—all were hit during the heaviest and last of the large Luftwaffe raids against London, on the night of 10/11 May 1941. In his book The Longest Night 10-11 May 1941: Voices … Continue reading →

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This week in the War, 25 Nov–1 Dec 1940: ‘This is London’ — the broadcasts of Edward R. Murrow

Posted on December 1, 2012 by secondbysecond

“This is London.” Such was the signature opening of American broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow, speaking on the radio from Britain’s beleaguered capital. Air raid sirens could be heard in the background. Bombs were starting to fall. His broadcasts were … Continue reading →

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This week in the War, 11–17 November 1940: Blitz on Coventry

Posted on November 14, 2012 by secondbysecond

When I was a boy, I went on day trips to all of the large cities around the Midlands, as central England is called. Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, and of course, Coventry—the latter being of Lady Godiva fame. They were big, … Continue reading →

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This week in the War, 9–15 September 1940: Luftwaffe bombs Buckingham Palace

Posted on September 11, 2012 by secondbysecond

This week in the war saw the bombing of Buckingham Palace. Queen Elizabeth (mother of the current queen) famously remarked that she was glad it happened because she would be able to “look the East End in the face.” (The … Continue reading →

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This week in the War, 26 Aug–1 Sept 1940: London on alert

Posted on September 1, 2012 by secondbysecond

This week in the war saw the first all-night alert in London, 26 August 1940. The Luftwaffe launched a number of night attacks on the city that week. The picture to the left shows one of the platforms of the … Continue reading →

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This week in the War, 12–18 August 1940: Eagle Day

Posted on August 13, 2012 by secondbysecond

Like every boy who grew up in England, not too long after the war, I loved to read the boys comics: Beano, Dandy, Hotspur. Particulary Lion. The latter featured the weekly adventures of make-believe World War II RAF pilot, Paddy … Continue reading →

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In the news: Queen Elizabeth unveils Bomber Command memorial, 28 June 2012

Posted on July 6, 2012 by secondbysecond

A few days ago, and 67 years after the most devastating war in history, the Queen unveiled a new monument on the edge of Green Park in central London. The larger-than-life sculpture features the WWII airmen of Britain’s Bomber Command. … Continue reading →

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