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Air Raids Collection (#2)

"Unyielding Courage: The Devastating Reality Unleashed" Bomb disposal unit in action

Background imageAir Raids Collection: A night of fire in La Spezia (colour litho)

A night of fire in La Spezia (colour litho)
2784248 A night of fire in La Spezia (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: A young midwife is called urgently and rushes to a house that is ruining)

Background imageAir Raids Collection: House on West Street damaged by a German Zeppelin raid on Southend, Essex, World War I

House on West Street damaged by a German Zeppelin raid on Southend, Essex, World War I, 10 May 1915 (b / w photo)
6029831 House on West Street damaged by a German Zeppelin raid on Southend, Essex, World War I, 10 May 1915 (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Damage caused to London in air raids by German Gotha bombers during World War I

Damage caused to London in air raids by German Gotha bombers during World War I, 1917-1918 (b / w photo)
6015411 Damage caused to London in air raids by German Gotha bombers during World War I, 1917-1918 (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Lieutenants Frederick Sowrey and William Leefe Robinson, British fighter pilots of the First World

Lieutenants Frederick Sowrey and William Leefe Robinson, British fighter pilots of the First World War
6029719 Lieutenants Frederick Sowrey and William Leefe Robinson, British fighter pilots of the First World War, who each shot down a German Zeppelin airship during raids on southern England in

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Many months of bombing have proved the worth of surface shelters

Many months of bombing have proved the worth of surface shelters. Time and again properly built surface shelters have kept thousands of people safe, even when surrounding buildings have been wrecked

Background imageAir Raids Collection: These girls in an Essex coastal town have joined a roof spotters corps

These girls in an Essex coastal town have joined a roof spotters corps and are offering their services to any organisation or company that requires a spotter

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Photo Reconnaissance image of Mainz, Germany reveals the devastation caused by the RAF

Photo Reconnaissance image of Mainz, Germany reveals the devastation caused by the RAF attacks on the city on the nights of the 11th/12th and 12th/13th August 1942

Background imageAir Raids Collection: The Municipal Theatre remains a recognisable feature in the area of Mainz

The Municipal Theatre remains a recognisable feature in the area of Mainz, from which scores of buildings were swept away by the RAF attacks on the city on the nights of the 11th/12th

Background imageAir Raids Collection: RAF attack on Heligoland. The airfield on the island of Dune disappearing under a

RAF attack on Heligoland. The airfield on the island of Dune disappearing under a deluge of bombs as aircraft of RAF Bomber Command attack the target. 18th April 1945

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Photo-reconnaissance image taken by No1 PRU of the damaged Heinkel aircraft factory at

Photo-reconnaissance image taken by No1 PRU of the damaged Heinkel aircraft factory at Marienehe, Rostock, Germany, following a series of major raids by Bomber Command. 1

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Photo Reconnaissance image taken following RAF Bomber Command raid on Nurenburg

Photo Reconnaissance image taken following RAF Bomber Command raid on Nurenburg on the night of the 8th/9th March 1943. Photo shows

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Photo reconnaissance image taken by No 1 PRU of Cologne

Photo reconnaissance image taken by No 1 PRU of Cologne, Germany after Operation Millennium, the first Thousand-bomber raid by aircraft of Bomber Command on the night of 30/31 May 1942

Background imageAir Raids Collection: British troops in Bremen. The city and port of Bremen was captured by British Troops

British troops in Bremen. The city and port of Bremen was captured by British Troops on April 27th 1945, although some Germans were still holding out in one of the city parks until the following day

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Photo reconnaissance image taken by a Supermarine Spitfire of 542 Squadron RAF after

Photo reconnaissance image taken by a Supermarine Spitfire of 542 Squadron RAF after Bomber Command carried out a major raid on the Krupps Works, Essen, Germany, on 12/13 March 1943

Background imageAir Raids Collection: How to extinguish an incendiary bomb. If a stirrup pump is unavailable

How to extinguish an incendiary bomb. If a stirrup pump is unavailable, a half-filled sand bag should be held up to protect the face and upper body

Background imageAir Raids Collection: How to extinguish a fire bomb. A man crouches in the doorway of a smoke filled room

How to extinguish a fire bomb. A man crouches in the doorway of a smoke filled room and aims his stirrup pump around the edge of the door in an attempt to extinguish the fire. January 1941

Background imageAir Raids Collection: The new steel helmet for use by civilians as announced by Herbert Morrison in the House

The new steel helmet for use by civilians as announced by Herbert Morrison in the House of Commons. February 1941

Background imageAir Raids Collection: The new National Fire Service discs being prepared by the NFS for use where the local

The new National Fire Service discs being prepared by the NFS for use where the local authority so requests by Fire Guard Block and street Fire Party leaders when summoning the National Fire Service

Background imageAir Raids Collection: New Surrey training camp for part time fire fighters. New Parliamentary Secretary

New Surrey training camp for part time fire fighters. New Parliamentary Secretary of Food talks to Fire Force cooks before taking up his new job

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Fireman at a sub station in London, after it was hit in The Blitz of World War Two

Fireman at a sub station in London, after it was hit in The Blitz of World War Two. They wrestle with a vehicle, trying to move it

Background imageAir Raids Collection: The Temple area on London, near Fleet Street and The River Thames

The Temple area on London, near Fleet Street and The River Thames. Picture taken circa the day after the Christmas air raids of 29th December 1940. A man sweeps the snow aside to create a pathway

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Civil Defence stand down in Hyde Park, London. Driver Teer

Civil Defence stand down in Hyde Park, London. Driver Teer, of B 13 Tottenham fire Force, giving his fire engine a last minute polish as they wait in the rain for the march past

Background imageAir Raids Collection: A member of the The Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) in London

A member of the The Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) in London. The world war two blitz on Britain by Germany lasted from 7 Sep 1940 - 11 May 1941 Picture taken 23rd May 1941

Background imageAir Raids Collection: A street in Stockton on Tees. A barrel of water, and a barrel of sand

A street in Stockton on Tees. A barrel of water, and a barrel of sand, at most lamp posts in the town. These will be needed for putting out fires during the Blitz of World War Two

Background imageAir Raids Collection: A member of The National fire Services in London. World War Two

A member of The National fire Services in London. World War Two. The officer sends a musical calling from his bugle. **note: some paint on this image** Picture taken 15th October 1942

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Fireman tackle yet another blaze in The Blitz over London

Fireman tackle yet another blaze in The Blitz over London. This picture is suggested to have been taken in North West London The world war two blitz on Britain by Germany lasted from 7 Sep 1940 - 11

Background imageAir Raids Collection: In the ruins of the City of London, Redcross Street Fire Station have made an excellent

In the ruins of the City of London, Redcross Street Fire Station have made an excellent garden which now includes Apple Trees

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Fireman breaking down the ice at a Fire Station in world War Two. Possibly London

Fireman breaking down the ice at a Fire Station in world War Two. Possibly London. Water is needed night after night to tackle the fires bought on by the many German air raids over Britain

Background imageAir Raids Collection: National Fire Service Drill at Regional Headquarters in Lambeth, South London

National Fire Service Drill at Regional Headquarters in Lambeth, South London, in the presence of the Allied Defence Ministers. Picture taken 17th June 1942

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Members of the The Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS), splicing rope. London

Members of the The Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS), splicing rope. London. Picture taken 23rd April 1942

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Work begin done on a rockery, under the instruction of Fireman C A Bull

Work begin done on a rockery, under the instruction of Fireman C A Bull. The garden is in memory of Len, who it reads has passed away. He was possibly a firemen too. Picture date unknown

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Members of the Barnet National Fire Service. In their off duty times

Members of the Barnet National Fire Service. In their off duty times, they have been making fittings for RAF rocket bombs. Picture taken 31st May 1944

Background imageAir Raids Collection: St Thomas Street, Southwoark, South London, members of the The Auxiliary Fire Service

St Thomas Street, Southwoark, South London, members of the The Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) warm their hands. The world war two blitz on Britain by Germany lasted from 7 Sep 1940 - 11 May 1941

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Members of the Emergency Services on their motorbikes on location in England

Members of the Emergency Services on their motorbikes on location in England. They are driving through a pit, whilst a vehicle is moved across the pit using a pulley system

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Competition Steel Piping V Rubber lined hose at Hackney Marshes

Competition Steel Piping V Rubber lined hose at Hackney Marshes. Fire force staged a competition between the E Division (steel pipe) and B division hose on Hackney Marshes, London

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Members of the Berners Street Fire Service, Central London

Members of the Berners Street Fire Service, Central London, making toys for children of mothers who are working to keep the war effort going

Background imageAir Raids Collection: The National Fire Service, area, 37, using a disused gravel pit for fitness training

The National Fire Service, area, 37, using a disused gravel pit for fitness training, during World War Two. Picture taken 22nd February 1945

Background imageAir Raids Collection: 2nd anniversary of the National Fire Service Drill at Regional Headquarters in Lambeth

2nd anniversary of the National Fire Service Drill at Regional Headquarters in Lambeth, South London. Picture taken 26th August 1943

Background imageAir Raids Collection: A NFS (National Fire Service) water tank at Edmonton, North London

A NFS (National Fire Service) water tank at Edmonton, North London, has been converted into a dockyard for model ships. It is enjoyed by passers by

Background imageAir Raids Collection: The National fire Service 'C'class division of the 36th area

The National fire Service "C"class division of the 36th area
The National fire Service " C" class division of the 36th area, now training in how to rescue. Picture taken in London. Picture taken 1st March 1944

Background imageAir Raids Collection: A bus to Willesden Junction is stationary in what looks like The Aldwych area of London

A bus to Willesden Junction is stationary in what looks like The Aldwych area of London. (not confirmed). The sky is lit up with what could be fires

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Members of The Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) hard at work as walls, during World War Two

Members of The Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) hard at work as walls, during World War Two. It is possible this team is from London

Background imageAir Raids Collection: St Brides Church in Fleet Street, London, after the aid raids from the night before

St Brides Church in Fleet Street, London, after the aid raids from the night before. The world war two blitz on Britain by Germany lasted from 7 Sep 1940 - 11 May 1941

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Picture shows firemen controlling the smoulders after another fire broke out in an air

Picture shows firemen controlling the smoulders after another fire broke out in an air raid over Britain. They stand by Pickering and Inglis, which are a publishing house in Glasgow, Scotland

Background imageAir Raids Collection: The ladies in the control room of The London Fire Service central HQ

The ladies in the control room of The London Fire Service central HQ. They monitor and control and co-ordinate the use of fire engines, across the capital, during this time of The Blitz

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Marylebone, London, in circa April 1941. People make their way to work

Marylebone, London, in circa April 1941. People make their way to work, walking down the street of debris. It is very possibly Marylebone High Street

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Fireman wearing their 'Second front'commando berets assisted local members of

Fireman wearing their "Second front"commando berets assisted local members of
Fireman wearing their " Second front" commando berets assisted local members of the civil defence unit, at an incident somewhere in Southern England

Background imageAir Raids Collection: Refreshment served by a lady from the The Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS)

Refreshment served by a lady from the The Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS), to a fireman tackling one of many fires across London in The Blitz of World War Two. Picture taken circa 12th May 1941




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"Unyielding Courage: The Devastating Reality Unleashed" Bomb disposal unit in action: Witness the fearless heroes risking their lives to defuse deadly explosives amidst chaos and destruction. Land Girl in 1944: Amidst the turmoil, a resilient Land Girl continues her vital work on the land, ensuring food security during these trying times. Damage to Houses of Parliament: Behold the haunting sight of one of Britain's most iconic landmarks scarred by relentless enemy bombings, a symbol of resilience against tyranny. Ordnance Survey map revealing German bombing targets: Discover a chilling artifact from history as we unveil an infiltrated map used by our enemies to target innocent civilians with devastating precision. London during the Blitz While services are being held in London, commemorating the fallen souls who bravely faced unimaginable horrors for freedom's sake, life goes on amidst shattered streets and broken dreams. Building air raid shelter foundations in Hextable garden: Step into an ordinary suburban garden transformed into a sanctuary against terror—a testament to human ingenuity and determination to protect loved ones at all costs. Aftermath of pilotless enemy plane crash in Streatham: Witness firsthand the aftermath when death rains from above as wreckage litters the streets and brave citizens rally together to restore order amid chaos. Removal of German plane wreckage: A poignant moment unfolds as remnants of enemy aircraft are painstakingly cleared away—an act symbolizing victory over aggression and hope for a brighter future ahead. Woman clocking in at work wearing gas mask: Meet extraordinary women who fearlessly embraced their duties while donning gas masks—a powerful image capturing unwavering dedication even under constant threat. Service at St George's Cathedral Southwark after an air raid (1941): Gathered within hallowed walls, survivors find solace amidst ruins—faith unbroken, resilience undeterred, and unity stronger than ever before.