15/16 September 1940: The London Underground on this day 70 years ago

Ninth day/night of the London Blitz.

On the 15th, High Explosive bombs dropped between Upton Park and Plaistow stations on the joint LSTR/District line scored a direct hit on a LSTR train. Upton Park station itself was also hit, completely blocking the tracks, and rendering Station Bridge unsafe for traffic.^[1]

At 06:30 on the 16th, a Delayed Action bomb exploded at the Bakerloo line London Road Depot in North Lambeth. Further explosions followed at 10:23, putting Roads 1-6 out of action.^[2]

The following sections of the Underground were reported at 08:00 on the 16th as being closed:

Hammersmith & City line
Edgware Road to Baker Street
Hammersmith to Westbourne Park

District line
King's Cross to Farringdon Street
Barking to Bow Road [see below]
St James's Park to Earl's Court
Parson Green to High Street Kensington

Bakerloo/Metropolitan lines
West Hampstead to Willesden Green

Central line
Wood Lane^[3] to Ealing Broadway

Northern line
Finchley Central to Archway^[4]

^[1] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - September 1940: Damage Appreciation 15-16/09/40, page 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/2]
^[2]Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D1, 06:00-18:00 15/09/40 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1104]
^[3]Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - September 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 16/09/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/2]
^[4] Disused station situated at location between the current Shepherd's Bush and White City stations.

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