Wednesday 16 September 2015

16/17 September 1940: The London Underground on this day 75 years ago

Tenth day/night of the London Blitz.

On Monday 16 September 1940, Incendiary Bombs (IBs) caused damage to St John's Wood station,[1] while a Delayed Action (DA) exploded outside Clapham North station on the Northern line, breaking windows and putting an escalator out of action.[2]

At 10:22, as a result of the discovery of a DA on the Northern line track near High Barnet stgation, trains were reversed at Totteridge & Whetstone.[4]

Another DA, at Globe Road, Mile End, caused the suspension of District line services east of Whitechapel at 10:25.[3]

Single line working between Willesden and Finchley Road station on the joint Metropolitan/Bakerloo line from 10:45.[3]

Oxford Circus Central/Bakerloo line station re-opened at 10:45,[3] having been closed since 14 September due to an Unexploded Bomb in the vicinity.[5]

At 11:10, a falling anti-aircraft shell damaged an East London line train at New Cross station.[2]

Also at 11:10, the westbound trackside telephone between Ravenscourt Park and Barons Court failed, and at 15:00 IBs were found 100 yards (91 metres) east of Barons Court.[3]

At 22:25 IBs also set fire to Aldersgate and Farringdon Street stations on the Metropolitan line, as well as the adjoining market.[1] Additional fires between the stations burnt through high tension cables; current switched off at 23:38.[4]

At 00:25 on the 17th, Streatham, Tooting, Forest Hill, and Bromley sub-stations were shut down due to the main feeder pillar at Lewisham High Street being hit by at bomb.[4]

An unexploded bomb dropped in the vicinity of Bromley-By-Bow station caused the suspension of District line services.[6]

The following sections of the Underground were reported at 08:00 on the 17th as being closed:
District line
Earls Court to Parsons Green
Whitechapel to East Ham

Metropolitan line
West Hampstead to Willesden Green
Edgware Road to Moorgate
East London Joint Line

Bakerloo line
Regents Park station

Northern line
Totteridge to High Barnet[7]
[1] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - September 1940: Damage Appreciation 17-18/09/40, page 4 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/2]
[2]Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D1, 06:00-18:00 16/09/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1104]
[3]Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D1, 06:00-18:00 16/09/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1104][4]Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 16/09/40 to 06:00 17/09/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1104]
[5]Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 16/09/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1104]
[6] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - September 1940: Damage Appreciation 16-17/09/40, page 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/2]
[7]Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - September 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 17/09/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/2]


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