War and London

London has a long extensive history and part of it has included moments at war. Moments that have left the city almost crumpling but some how still managing to rebuilt and move forward. Within a 31 year span London was at the center of not only World War I (1914-1918) but also World War II (1939-1945). During the Great War the first attack occured on the 31 of May 1915. Airship German navels raiders bombarded London leaving the city devastated. The first Airship Zeppelin carried one ton of bombs and killed 28 people. By September 1916 the airships were replace by planes and the worst raid occured on the 13th of June 1917 where 162 people were killed. From 1914-1918 over 600 people where killed in London. After the war concluded slowly things began to go back to normal.

After the Great War ended The British government gave no consideration to the possibility of another war until 1928. After that they set up the Imperial Defence Committee- which recognized London's vulnerability. The Committe planed evacuations, it rejected deep shelters (tube) so people coulb be evacuated more easily, and it also took air raid precautions. Even though the Government was trying to be preventive of future misfortunes it didn't have the slightest idea of what was to come within the next couple of years.

Within the next couples of years things began to change and tensions of war began to spark. In 1933 hitler became chancellor- by 1934 Germany begins to re-arm. By 1935 it breaks the treaty of Versaille. by 1939 Hitler seized all of Czechoslovakia and war is clearly inevitable, the only question left in the back of everyone was when? By September the 3rd 1939 Britain declares war on Germany and for almost a year London is under what was known as the Phoney War- waiting for devastating air rades, everyone living under tension, London being forced to be blacked out at night so German bobmers wouldn't be able to target it and bomb it, public entertainment close, etc. Finally Britain is attacked in July 1940- under the invasion plan known as "Operation Sealion" where Hitler required air supremacy and orders the dustruction of RAF (royal air force) in four weeks. Eventually Hitler changed tactics and in September the "Blitz" commenced. On September 7 the docks began to be bombed and it continued for 56 consecutive nights. Many citizens used the London underground station as shelter each night. About 40,000 houses a week were damaged and by the end of the raid a total of 20,000 people were killed and 300,000 homes were damaged.

It was interesting to learn that even though it was a moment of tragedy and tension for many people- it also brought many people into reflection of what was valuable and important in their lives. Just like many instances in other catastrophic moments- people began to live for the day, to the fullest, and appreciated everything and everyone a lot more knowing that the next day was not assured. It was an exhilarating moment to be living in which outcomes changed the lives of many people all over the world.