14/15 November 1940: The London Underground on this day 70 years ago

Sixty-ninth day of the London Blitz.

At 14:15 on Thursday 14 November 1940, District line services suspended between St James's Park and Charing Cross [now Embankment] until 15:50 due to Engineer's possession of line.^[1]

At 18:14 a High Explosive bomb penetrated the Circle line tunnel between High Street Kensington and Gloucester Road, damaging the track and signalling cables.^[2][3] Services suspended between Baker Street and South Kensington, West Kensington and South Kensington, and between Parson's Green and Earl's Court. Resumed Baker Street to Edgware Road at 18:48; Earl's Court to Parson's Green, and Earl's Court to West Kensington at 20:00; and District line to South Kensington at 20:48.^[4]

Northbound Northern line services reversed at Euston between 21:13 and 22:03 due to a defective train.^[4]

At 08:00 on the 15th, the following working conditions were reported:

Metropolitan line
Tunnel damage between Gloucester Road and High Street Kensington - service suspended between those stations.^[7]

Unexploded Bombs

Category A

Nil.

Category B

1. Latimer Road 21/10.
2. Morden Depot 10/11 between No. 13 and 14 roads. No interference with working.

Category C

Nil.^[8]

---

^[1] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 14/11/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[2] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 14/11/40 to 06:00 15/11/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[3] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Damage Appreciation 14-15/11/40, page 8 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
^[4] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 15/11/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[7] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 15/11/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
^[8] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 15/11/40, page 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]

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13/14 November 1940: The London Underground on this day 70 years ago

Sixty-eighth day of the London Blitz.

At 08:03 on Thursday 13 November 1940, westbound District line services were reversed at Mansion House due to cable trouble at Charing Cross (now Embankment). Services extended to reversing at Charing Cross at 12:02, and at St James's Park at 15:51.^[1]

At 08:00 on the 11th, the following working conditions were reported:

Unexploded Bombs

Category A

Nil.

Category B

1. Latimer Road 21/10.
2. Morden Depot 10/11, between No. 13 and 14 roads. No interference with working.

Category C

Nil.^[2]

---

^[1] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 13/11/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[2] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 14/11/40, page 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]

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12/13 November 1940: The London Underground on this day 70 years ago

Sixty-seventh day of the London Blitz.

At 19:15 on Wednesday 12 November 1940, a bomb outside Belsize Park Northern line station shattered glass in the ticket hall.^[1]

A 250kg bomb just south of Swiss Cottage Bakerloo line station cracked three tunnel segments at 20:05.^[1][3] Services reversed at West Hampstead until through running resumed under a 5 mph speed restriction at 21:50.^[2]


Piccadilly line Up and Down tracks damaged by a bomb between Acton Town and South Ealing at 20:45.^[1]

At 21:50 a large calibre bomb scored a direct hit on Sloane Square station, causing extensive damage to the ticket hall and platforms. High-tension, signal, and lighting cables were also damaged. Two gas mains were severed and set on fire. Initial reports described the rear car of a train standing at the platform as being, "cut in two," that forty people had been killed, and twenty injured enough to require treatment on-site.^[1][4] Northern line current off London Bridge to Clapham Common; restored London Bridge to Kennington at 22:20, and to Clapham Common at 20:48. District line services suspended between Earl's Court and Bow Road; resumed Mansion House to Bow Road at 00:09 on the 13th, and between St James Park and Mansion House at 10:05.^[2] The following day the casualty figures were revised to 28 kill, and 40 to 50 injured.^[5]

At 22:35 three High Explosive bombs hit Wood Lane Hammersmith & City line station (situated just south of the new station of that name), partly demolishing one viaduct arch, and a platform. Gas mains were also broken.^[1][4]

At 00:15 on the 13th, windows at New Cross station were broken by a bomb explosion.^[6]

At 08:00 on the 11th, the following working conditions were reported:

Serious damage Sloane Square station 21:15 12/11. Lines completely blocked. Train partially caught under debris. Over 40 fatalities.

Some damage to tube tunnel on Bakerloo south of Swiss Cottage station. Segments cracked - trains passing under speed restriction.

Damage at Wood Lane (Hammersmith and City). Line already closed by UXB at Latimer Road.

District line - services suspended between South Kensington and St James's Park.^[7]

Unexploded Bombs

Category A

Nil.

Category B

1. Latimer Road 21/10.
2. Morden Depot 10/11 between No. 13 and 14 roads. No interference with working.

Category C

Nil.^[8]

---

Sloane Square Station

At 10:00 on the 13th, Lt-Col. AHL Mount, the Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways at the Ministry of Transport, visited the bomb site, along with the LPTB's Engineer-in-Chief, VAM Robertson, and other Board staff, and later reported:

"At 9.45 pm on 12/11, an H.E. bomb (250 kilo?) hit the booking hall and exploded on contact with the main girder supporting it and nearest to the tunnel. Three or four of the adjacent main girders were also damaged and a portion of the tunnel arch (5 rings) was blown away. The whole of the booking hall, a single storey building but of sufficient strength to carry a 10-storey building proposed for future erection, was demolished, the side walls of the station being blown outwards. The escalators on each side were wrecked, as also much of the station roof.

These works have only recently been completed at a cost of about £70,000 (verified later £72,000)."

He noted that the bomb exploded some 100 feet (30 metres) from an 8 foot (2.4 metres) main sewer, which could have potentially released five million cubic feet (1.4 billion litres) of water into the tunnel. This had not happened, but gas mains had been severed and set on fire, making rescue work so difficult that it had to be done via the tunnel to South Kensington, rather than directly through the station.

"The debris enveloped an outgoing 6-car west-bound train, completely wrecking it and killing passengers therein. A number of other passengers were also killed in the booking hall and possibly on both platforms, making a provisional total of 22. In addition, 9 of the Traffic Operating Staff and 9 of the Board's Bus Staff were apparently killed in the adjacent mess room, making a total of approximately 40 deaths; in addition, 14 persons are also reported as injured."

It was estimated that it would take some six days to clear the line to traffic, and the contractors - Mowlems - had already started the work, although they had requested additional manpower from the 691st Company, Pioneer Corps, as they were already overstretched clearing previous damage at Farringdon station.

On 28 November Mount reported that a 10-ton crane with a 100 foot reach had been brought in to remove the roof girders, escalators, and other debris. Although sagging, the cross girders were judge strong enough to support a temporary ticket hall, and staircases were to be provided from pavement level. It was anticipated that the station could re-open in a few more days, although some roof covering had yet to be provided. Mount detailed the work done thus far:

"The clearance of the track was effected by 25/11, namely in 12 working days, 7.30 am till 5.30 pm, 120 working hours, with a force of labour varying from a minimum of 60 to a maximum of 140 - equivalent to some 11,000 man hours."

It was later determined that rather than being a 250 kg device, it had actually been a 1,400 kg semi-armour piercing bomb - the same type that caused so much destruction at Balham a month previously.^[9]

The final death toll was 37 - details here.

---

^[1] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 12/11/40 to 06:00 13/11/40, sheet 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[2] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 12/11/40 to 06:00 13/11/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[3] Ministry of Home Security, Research and Experiments Department: Registered Papers: Damage to underground railways, drawing 25B [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 192/8]
^[4] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Damage Appreciation 12-13/11/40, page 6 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
^[5] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D1, 06:00-18:00 13/11/40, page 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[6] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 12/11/40 to 06:00 13/11/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[7] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 13/11/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
^[8] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 13/11/40, page 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
^[9] Ministry of Transport and successors, Railway Divisions: Correspondence and Papers, Air Raid Damage - Underground Railways, 1940-1941 [Kew: National Archives, reference MT 6/2759]

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11/12 November 1940: The London Underground on this day 70 years ago

Sixty-sixth day of the London Blitz.

At 19:03 on Tuesday 11 November 1940,

Services suspended between Putney Bridge and Southfield from 15:15 to 15:58 due to the explosion of a Delayed Action bomb.^[1]

District line services suspended from 16:40 to 17:02 between Mark Lane and the Minories Junction due to a barrage balloon cable across the track.^[1]

At 08:00 on the 11th, the following working conditions were reported:

District line
Whitechapel to Bromley now resumed.^[2]

Unexploded Bombs

Category A

Nil.

Category B

1. Latimer Road 21/10.
2. Dollis Hill 11/1, in rear of No. 3 Coopers ROad, 60 feet [27 metres] from the track - services not suspended.

Category C

Nil.^[3]

---

^[1] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 11/11/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[2] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 12/11/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
^[3] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 12/11/40, page 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]

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10/11 November 1940: The London Underground on this day 70 years ago

Sixty-fifth day of the London Blitz.

At 19:03 on Monday 10 November 1940, the Metropolitan line tracks between Dollis Hill and Neasden were damaged by a High Explosive (HE) bomb.^[1] Services reversed at Willesden Green and Wembley Park.^[2] Normal working resumed at 13:15 on the 11th.^[3]

An HE explosion damaged track, train windows, and the roof of Bow Road District line station at 19:23.^[1][4] Services reversed at Whitechapel and Bromley.^[2]

At 20:16 a bomb damaged track between Hounslow Central and Hounslow West stations.^[1] Trains reversed at Hounslow Central.^[2] Normal working resumed at 18:50 on the 11th.^[5]

District line services suspended between Earls Court and Putney Bridge due to a suspected Unexploded Bomb from 21:08 to 21:25.^[2]

At 02:00 on the 11th, two Unexploded Bombs were reported outside Highgate Northern line station.^[6]

At 08:00 on the 11th, the following working conditions were reported:

Bakerloo line
Trafalgar Square station open Monday to Friday.

District line
Suspended Whitechapel to Bromley.

Metropolitan line
Suspended Ladbroke Grive to Hammersmith and Addison Road.

Northern line
Normal to Barnet.
Shuttle service Euston to Strand [now Charing Cross].^[7]

Unexploded Bombs

Category A

Nil.

Category B

1. Latimer Road 21/10.

Category C

Nil.^[8]

---

^[1] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 10/11/40 to 06:00 11/11/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[2] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 10/11/40 to 06:00 11/11/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[3] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 11/11/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[5] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 11/11/40 to 06:00 12/11/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[4] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Damage Appreciation 10-11/11/40, page 6 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
^[6] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Damage Appreciation 10-11/11/40, page 7 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
^[7] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 11/11/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
^[8] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 11/11/40, page 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]

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9/10 November 1940: The London Underground on this day 70 years ago

Sixty-fourth day of the London Blitz.

At 14:11 on Sunday 9 November 1940, a High Explosive bomb landed between No. 1 and No. 2 sidings at Golders Green station, damaging the north and southbound road, and the high-tension feeder from Golders Green to Camden Town sub-station. Glass was broken in the Depot offices, roof of shops, and the canteen. Six train cars were slightly damaged. Services north of Hampstead suspended.^[1][2][3] Services resumed between Golders Green and Edgware at 15:15, northbound trains reversed at Hampstead from 15:48, and through-working resumed at 17:15.^[4]

Piccadilly line services were suspended between Arnos Grove and Cockfosters from 19:35 until 20:05 due to a suspected Unexploded Bomb (UXB).^[5]

Normal working between Southfields and Wimbledon - suspended since 30 October - was resumed at 21:58.^[5]

At 06:00 on the 10th services through South Harrow were suspended until 06:30 due to a suspected UXB.^[5]

At 08:00 on the 10th, the following working conditions were reported:

District line
Services resumed Southfields to Wimbledon.

Northern line
Services resumed Hampstead to Edgware.^[6]

Unexploded Bombs

Category A

Nil.

Category B

1. Latimer Road 21/10.
2. Watford North Curve, 70 yards [64 metres] 08/11 - affects goods service between Rickmansworth and Watford.^[7]

---

^[1] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Damage Appreciation 05-06/11/40, page 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
^[2] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D1, 06:00-18:00 29/11/40, page 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[3] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 09/11/40 to 06:00 10/11/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[4] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 09/11/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[5] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 09/11/40 to 06:00 10/11/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[6] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 10/11/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
^[7] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 10/11/40, pages 2-3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]

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8/9 November 1940: The London Underground on this day 70 years ago

Sixty-third day of the London Blitz.

At 16:00 on Saturday 8 November 1940, Angel station re-opened, having been closed since 15 October.^[1]

Glass in the booking hall of Clapham South Northern line station was broken by bomb blast at 19:30.^[2]

At 01:21 on the 9th, a bomb exploded between Woodside Park and Totteridge & Whetstone station on the Northern line. A train was hit by clay, and the track displaced.^[3] Services suspended between Finchley Central and High Barnet until 07:35.^[D]

At 08:00 on the 9th, the following working conditions were reported:

Unexploded Bombs

Category A

Nil.

Category B

1. Latimer Road 21/10.
2. Southfields 30/10 - prevents service between Southfields and Wimbledon.^[5]

---

^[1] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 08/11/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[2] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 08/11/40 to 06:00 09/11/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[3] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 08/11/40 to 06:00 09/11/40, sheet 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[D] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 07/11/40 to 06:00 08/11/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[5] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 09/11/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]

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7/8 November 1940: The London Underground on this day 70 years ago

Sixty-second day of the London Blitz.

At 19:18 on Friday 7 November 1940, bombs in the vicinity of Latimer Road station brought down the ceiling in the ticket hall.^[1]

A Unexploded Bomb 50 feet (15 metres) from the track near High Barnet station suspended Northern line services at 19:35.^[2]

A bomb hit the joint District/Southern Railways track between Gunnersbury and Kew Gardens at 21:23.^[3] Services suspended between Turnham Green and Richmond.^[2]

At 21:32 the retaining wall adjacent to the eastbound track between Ravenscourt Park and Hammersmith was damaged, and the windows of a Piccadilly line train were broken by blast.^[3]

At 00:18 on the 8th a bomb hit the track 100 yards (91 metres) east of Ravensvourt Park, damaging four high-tensions feeders, affecting traction, signal, and lighting current, and the power surge shut down Mansion House sub-station.^[3] Services suspended on the Northern City line (until 00:30), the Central line (until 00:48), and between Hammersmith and Acton Town on the Piccadilly/District line (until commencement of traffic on the morning of the 8th).^[2]

At 08:00 on the 8th, the following working conditions were reported:

District line
Suspended Turnham Green to Richmond - damage between Gunnerbury and Kew.

Northern line
Suspended Finchley Central to High Barnet - UXB between West FInchley and Finchley Central.^[5]

Unexploded Bombs

Category A

Nil.

Category B

1. Latimer Road 21/10.
2. Angel station 15/10.
3. Southfields 30/10 - prevents service between Southfields and Wimbledon.^[5]

---

^[1] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 07/11/40 to 06:00 08/11/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[2] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 07/11/40 to 06:00 08/11/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[3] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 07/11/40 to 06:00 08/11/40, sheet 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[4] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 06/11/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
^[5] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 06/11/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]

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6/7 November 1940: The London Underground on this day 70 years ago

Sixty-first day of the London Blitz.

At 19:00 on Thursday 6 November 1940, serviced were suspended between Ladbroke Grove and Edgware Road due to bombs in the vicinity of Royal Oak station.^[1]

A bomb on the Up fast track between Dolis Hill and Willesden Green stations at 19:57 put the positive rail out of alignment on the Down fast track. Fast services diverted onto Local tracks.^[1][2]

At 22:44 cables were damaged at Colindale Northern line station, cutting off the current between Camden Town and Edgware, and Camden Town and Highgate, suspending services.^[1][2]

A bomb on the Up fast track at Dollis Hill at 01:11 on the 7th blocked the line, and damaged high-tension and signal cables.^[2]

At 05:40 debris falling from adjacent buildings blocked the track at Aldersgate (now Barbican) station.^[1][2]

At 08:00 on the 7th, the following working conditions were reported:

Unexploded Bombs

Category A

Nil.

Category B

1. Latimer Road 21/10.
2. Angel station 15/10.
3. Southfields 30/10 - prevents service between Southfields and Wimbledon.^[3]

---

^[1] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 06/11/40 to 06:00 07/11/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
^[2] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 06/11/40 to 06:00 07/11/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
^[3] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 06/11/40, pages 2-3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]

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5/6 November 1940: The London Underground on this day 70 years ago

Sixtieth day of the London Blitz.

At 02:45 on Wednesday 6 November 1940, a High Explosive (HE) bomb caused a retaining wall at the south end of Queen's Park station to fall across the joint LMS/Bakerloo line tracks, blocking the line, and damaging the conductor rail. Bakerloo line trains terminating at Willesden and Queen's Park.^[1]

At 01:35 the machine and motor shops at Acton Works were damaged^[1]

HEs caused considerable damage to the Railway Carriage Shed at Ealing Common Depot between 03:53 and 04:30.^[2]

The roof of Shepherd's Bush sub-station was damaged at 04:47, while at 05:00 there was a fire under the arches at Shepherd's Bush Hammersmith & City line station.^[1]

At 05:10 windows were blown out at Wood Lane Central line depot.^[1]

HEs blocked the Dollis Hill Lane and Dudden Hill Lane Junction at Neasden station at 05:55.^[2]

At 08:00 on the 6th, the following working conditions were reported:

No damage.
Northern line - Camden Town now open and normal.
Central line - Lancaster Gate now open and normal.
East London Line - Wapping station now open and normal.^[3]

Unexploded Bombs

Category A

Nil.

Category B

1. Latimer Road 21/10.
2. Angel station 15/10.
3. Southfields 30/10 - prevents service between Southfields and Wimbledon.^[4]

---

^[1] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 05/11/40 to 06:00 06/11/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
^[2] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Damage Appreciation 05-06/11/40, page 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
^[3] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 06/11/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]
^[4] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 06/11/40, pages 2-3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]

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4/5 November 1940: The London Underground on this day 70 years ago

Fifty-ninth day of the London Blitz.

At 19:04 on Monday 4 November 1940, a 50kg bomb exploded on the pavement outside Lancaster Gate Central line station. The running tunnels, 45 feet (14 metres) below the surface, were shaken and filled with dust, but not damaged, and traffic was not interrupted.^[1][2][3]


A bomb exploded near No. 6 Road at Neasden Depot at 23:12, damaging concrete between Nos. 6, 7 & 8 roads.^[4]

At 04:35 on the 5th, High Explosive bombs fell over the Northern line tunnels between Clapham Common and Clapham North stations. All traffic stopped.^[5]

At 08:00 on the 5th, the following working conditions were reported:

No change in situation. Probable re-opening dates as under:
Trafalgar Square 07/11
Kings Cross to Farringdon 01/01/41
Euston to Camden Town 14/01/41
Clapham Common to Tooting Broadway 14/01/41
Wood Green to Arnos Grove 01/12/40
Finsbury Park to Kings Cross 22/11/40.

Northern line
19:10 01/11. Bomb damage between Euston and Warren Street. Suspended Euston to Warren Street, and now single line working on both tracks between Strand and Warren Street.^[6]

Unexploded Bombs

Category A

Nil.

Category B

1. Latimer Road 21/10.
2. Angel station 15/10.
3. Southfields 30/10 - prevents service between Southfields and Wimbledon.^[7]

---

^[1] Ministry of Home Security, Research and Experiments Department: Registered Papers: Damage to underground railways, drawing 14B [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 192/8]
^[2] Ministry of Home Security, Air Raid Precautions (ARP GEN) Registered files: AIR RAIDS, Incident Reports, Tube incidents statistics [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 186/2419]
^[3] Ministry of Home Security, Research and Experiments Department: Notes on damage to railway tunnels by high explosive weapons, Section 1 - Tube railways. Author Dr. EWJ Phillips, page 5 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 196/11]
^[4] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 04/11/40 to 06:00 05/11/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
^[5] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Damage Appreciation 04-05/11/40, page 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
^[6] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 02/11/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]
^[7] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 02/11/40, pages 2-3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]

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3/4 November 1940: The London Underground on this day 70 years ago

Fifty-seventh day of the London Blitz.

At 08:00 on Monday 4 November, the following working conditions were reported:

Unexploded Bombs

Category A

Nil.

Category B

1. Latimer Road 21/10.
2. Angel station 15/10.
3. Southfields 30/10 - prevents service between Southfields and Wimbledon.^[1]

---

^[1] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 03/11/40, pages 2-4 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]

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2/3 November 1940: The London Underground on this day 70 years ago

Fifty-seventh day of the London Blitz.

At 20:50 on Saturday 2 November 1940, a High Explosive bomb fell on the railway embankment near Rayners Lane Piccadilly/Metropolitan line station, undermining a siding, but not affecting the main track.^[1]

At 08:00 on the 3rd, the following working conditions were reported:

District line
Dagenham to Barking now open.

Northern line
Single line working on both tracks between Strand and Warren Street.^[2]

Unexploded Bombs

Category A

Nil.

Category B

1. Latimer Road 21/10.
2. Angel station 15/10.
3. Southfields 30/10 - prevents service between Southfields and Wimbledon.^[3]

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^[1] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Damage Appreciation 02-03/11/40, page 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
^[2] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 03/11/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
^[3] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 03/11/40, pages 2-3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]

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1/2 November 1940: The London Underground on this day 70 years ago

Fifty-sixth day of the London Blitz.

At 19:10 on Friday 1 November 1940, either a 250 or a 500 kg bomb landed at the junction of Drummond Street and Coburn Street, 60 feet (18 metres) above the Northern line Charing Cross branch running tunnels, and approximately 300 feet (91 metres) from the south headwall of Euston Station. Nineteen segments of the northbound tunnel were damaged, with some clay spilling onto the track, whilst three segments of the southbound tunnel were also damaged. Services were suspended between Warren Street and Euston, with single line working on both roads between Strand and Warren Street. Contractors commenced repairs on the northbound tunnel on the night of 2 November, which were completed four days later, and traffic recommenced. Repairs to the southbound tunnel were deferred to a later date.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}


Hyde Park Corner station closed between 19:20 and 19:45 due to bombs in the vicinity.^[2]

Bombs on the track between Becontree and Upney stations suspended District line services from 19:58 until 17:12 on the 2nd.^[1][2]

The front of Green Park station was damaged at 22:00.^[1] Station closed until commencement of service the next morning.^[2]

Shoreditch sub-station was damaged by a falling Anti-Aircraft shell at 00:30 on the 2nd.^[1]

At 08:00 on the 2nd, the following working conditions were reported:

District line
01/11. Bomb damage between Becontree and Upney. Service suspended Dagenham to Barking.

Northern line
19:10 01/11. Bomb damage between Euston and Warren Street. Suspended Euston to Warren STreet, and now single line working on both tracks between Strand and Warren Street.^[7]

Unexploded Bombs

Category A

Nil.

Category B

1. Latimer Road 21/10.
2. Angel station 15/10.
3. Southfields 30/10 - prevents service between Southfields and Wimbledon.^[8]

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^[1] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 01/11/40 to 06:00 02/11/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
^[2] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 01/11/40 to 06:00 02/11/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
^[3] Ministry of Transport and successors, Railway Divisions: Correspondence and Papers, Air Raid Damage - Underground Railways, 1940-1941 [Kew: National Archives, reference MT 6/2759]
^[4] Ministry of Transport and successors, Railway Divisions: Correspondence and Papers, Air Raid Damage - Underground Railways, 1941-1942 [Kew: National Archives, reference MT 6/2766]
^[5] Ministry of Home Security, Air Raid Precautions (ARP GEN) Registered files: AIR RAIDS, Incident Reports, Tube incidents statistics [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 186/2419]
^[7] Ministry of Home Security, Research and Experiments Department: Notes on damage to railway tunnels by high explosive weapons, Section 1 - Tube railways. Author Dr. EWJ Phillips, page 5 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 196/11]
^[7] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 02/11/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]
^[8] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 02/11/40, page 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]

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