20/21 October 1940: The London Underground on this day 75 years ago
Forty-fourth day of the London Blitz.
On Sunday 20 October 1940, a High Explosive (HE) bomb blocked the District line tracks at Upminster.[1]
An Unexploded Bomb (UXB) near Aldgate East station at 14:17 suspended services between Farringdon and Whitechapel, between Whitechapel and Mansion House, and between Mansion House and Whitechapel. Full services resumed at 16:40.[2]
There was a bomb explosion between Colliers Wood and South Wimbledon on the Northern line, and water was reported in the tunnel. Services suspended between Tooting Broadway and Morden at 15:40 for a tunnel examination. Services resumed at 18:37.[2]
A fire 50 yards (45 metres) from the Northern line track between Golders Green and Brent [Cross] suspended the existing single line service at 20:03.[3]
At 20:10 a bomb blast struck the the signal box at South Kensington station, while a bomb at the west end of the westbound platform at Turnham Green station damaged the signal box, and derailing the rear part of a departing train. [4] Debris was also reported on the track between Barons Court and Earls Court. Current off between Ravenscourt Park and Chiswick Park. District line services suspended between Earls Court and Acton, and Piccadilly line services between Hyde Park Corner and Acton Town. Piccadilly line services between Hyde Park Corner and Hammersmith resumed at 22:36.[5]
Also at 20:10, all tracks between Willesden Green and Neasden were blocked. Single line working between Willesden Green and Wembley Park at 22:59; southbound local at 04:58, and northbound local at 05:47.[3]
At 20:23 HEs hit the bridge carrying the District & Piccadilly line tracks over Turnham Green Terrace.[1]
Addison Road station was hit by multiple HEs at 20:50, various station buildings being partly or wholly destroyed, and the track cratered and damaged.[6]
Neasden Metropolitan line station was hit by two HEs at 21:20, leaving the track blocked by debris and a crater, and power cables displaced.[6]
At 21:26 a bomb damaged the footbridge at Bow Road station, blocking Up and Down lines with debris.[7]
A UXB was reported 100 yards (91 metres) south of the signal box near Latimer Road station, although it was noted that the bomb may have already exploded under the ground. Another UXB was reported 30 yards (27 metres) west of the station at 22:20, and a third one 20 yards (18 metres) from the signal box at 23:45. Services suspended between Hammersmith and Ladbroke Grove.[6][5][8]
Between 23:30 and 23:45 the Northern line's southern terminus at Morden was hit by an HE and an Oil Bomb,[9] with the first hitting track south of the station, and the second landing on a shed in the Depot.[6][8]
At 00:05 on the 21st, several bombs damaged cable bridges and cables at the Northern line's Highgate Depot. Current off.[8][5]
The LPTB headquarters at 55 Broadway were hit by a falling anti-aircraft shell, which penetrated the north east roof and internal floors at 00:58, but caused no casualties.[8]
Services were suspended between Golders Green and Colindale at 03:25 due to a UXB on Burroughs Playing Fields.[5]
At 05:12, adjacent to Golders Green station, 25 Golders Green Crescent was hit by an HE, damaging retaining wall arches.[8][5]
At 08:00 on the 21th, the following working conditions were reported:
[2] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 19/10/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[3] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 20/10/40 to 06:00 21/10/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[4] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 20/10/40 to 06:00 21/10/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[5] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 20/10/40 to 06:00 21/10/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[6] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Damage Appreciation 20-21/10/40, page 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]
[7] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D1, 06:00-18:00 20/10/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[8] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 20/10/40 to 06:00 21/10/40, sheet 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[9] A large Incendiary Bomb the size of a domestic dustbin, dropped by parachute.
[10] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 21/10/40, page 1-2 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
[11] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 21/10/40, page 3-4 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
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On Sunday 20 October 1940, a High Explosive (HE) bomb blocked the District line tracks at Upminster.[1]
An Unexploded Bomb (UXB) near Aldgate East station at 14:17 suspended services between Farringdon and Whitechapel, between Whitechapel and Mansion House, and between Mansion House and Whitechapel. Full services resumed at 16:40.[2]
There was a bomb explosion between Colliers Wood and South Wimbledon on the Northern line, and water was reported in the tunnel. Services suspended between Tooting Broadway and Morden at 15:40 for a tunnel examination. Services resumed at 18:37.[2]
A fire 50 yards (45 metres) from the Northern line track between Golders Green and Brent [Cross] suspended the existing single line service at 20:03.[3]
At 20:10 a bomb blast struck the the signal box at South Kensington station, while a bomb at the west end of the westbound platform at Turnham Green station damaged the signal box, and derailing the rear part of a departing train. [4] Debris was also reported on the track between Barons Court and Earls Court. Current off between Ravenscourt Park and Chiswick Park. District line services suspended between Earls Court and Acton, and Piccadilly line services between Hyde Park Corner and Acton Town. Piccadilly line services between Hyde Park Corner and Hammersmith resumed at 22:36.[5]
Also at 20:10, all tracks between Willesden Green and Neasden were blocked. Single line working between Willesden Green and Wembley Park at 22:59; southbound local at 04:58, and northbound local at 05:47.[3]
At 20:23 HEs hit the bridge carrying the District & Piccadilly line tracks over Turnham Green Terrace.[1]
Addison Road station was hit by multiple HEs at 20:50, various station buildings being partly or wholly destroyed, and the track cratered and damaged.[6]
Neasden Metropolitan line station was hit by two HEs at 21:20, leaving the track blocked by debris and a crater, and power cables displaced.[6]
At 21:26 a bomb damaged the footbridge at Bow Road station, blocking Up and Down lines with debris.[7]
A UXB was reported 100 yards (91 metres) south of the signal box near Latimer Road station, although it was noted that the bomb may have already exploded under the ground. Another UXB was reported 30 yards (27 metres) west of the station at 22:20, and a third one 20 yards (18 metres) from the signal box at 23:45. Services suspended between Hammersmith and Ladbroke Grove.[6][5][8]
Between 23:30 and 23:45 the Northern line's southern terminus at Morden was hit by an HE and an Oil Bomb,[9] with the first hitting track south of the station, and the second landing on a shed in the Depot.[6][8]
At 00:05 on the 21st, several bombs damaged cable bridges and cables at the Northern line's Highgate Depot. Current off.[8][5]
The LPTB headquarters at 55 Broadway were hit by a falling anti-aircraft shell, which penetrated the north east roof and internal floors at 00:58, but caused no casualties.[8]
Services were suspended between Golders Green and Colindale at 03:25 due to a UXB on Burroughs Playing Fields.[5]
At 05:12, adjacent to Golders Green station, 25 Golders Green Crescent was hit by an HE, damaging retaining wall arches.[8][5]
At 08:00 on the 21th, the following working conditions were reported:
Bakerloo line[1] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Damage Appreciation 20-21/10/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]
Trafalgar Square station closed
Restricted service Queens Park to Willesden & Watford.
Baker Street to Stanmore normal.
Central line
Normal.
Piccadilly line
Suspended Wood Green to Arnos Grove.
Suspended King's Cross to Finsbury Park.
Northern line
Suspended Strand [now Charing Cross] to Kennington.
Suspended Clapham Common to Tooting.
Single line working Clapham South to Clapham Common.
Suspended Golders Green to Colindale.
Camden, Angel, and Old Street closed.
Northern City
Normal.
District line
Suspended Charing Cross [now Embankment] to Mansion House.
Suspended Whitechapel to Bromley[-by-Bow].
Metropolitan line
Suspended Farringdon to King's Cross.
Suspended Edgware ROad to Bayswater.
Country lines normal.
East London line
Suspended.[10]
Unexploded Bombs
Category A
1. Hendon 16/10 - all lines blocked, Hendon to Golders Green.
2. Surrey Docks 16/10 (East London line).
3. New Cross Gate 16/10.
Category B
1. Woodside Park 14/10 - services suspended (2 UXBs).
2. Angel station 15/10 - UXB in forecourt of station.
3. Golders Green Depot 11/10 - trains unable to stabled in yard.
4. Edgware Road station 20/10 - no interference with services, but prevents use of lift and escalators.[11]
[2] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 19/10/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[3] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 20/10/40 to 06:00 21/10/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[4] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 20/10/40 to 06:00 21/10/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[5] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 20/10/40 to 06:00 21/10/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[6] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Damage Appreciation 20-21/10/40, page 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]
[7] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D1, 06:00-18:00 20/10/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[8] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 20/10/40 to 06:00 21/10/40, sheet 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[9] A large Incendiary Bomb the size of a domestic dustbin, dropped by parachute.
[10] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 21/10/40, page 1-2 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
[11] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 21/10/40, page 3-4 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
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Labels: Blitz 75, London Underground, The London Underground at War
posted by Nick Cooper at
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