The Blitz: When London’s Underground Became an Air Raid Shelter
When the Luftwaffe unleashed its devastating Blitzkrieg campaign upon London during the Second World War, the very arteries of the city’s daily life transformed into its deepest sanctuary.
From September 1940 to May '41, bombs rained down from the skies, causing the sprawling network of the London Underground to undergo a metamorphosis, evolving from a transit system into a vital, life-saving air-raid shelter for hundreds of thousands of terrified civilians.
Turning the Underground Into a Make-Shift Air Raid Shelter was a Necessity
The context for this transformation was terrifyingly clear. The Blitz was an intense and unrelenting aerial assault designed to break the spirit of the British people by targeting London and other key cities. Existing surface shelters, often little more than brick constructions or reinforced basements, proved woefully inadequate against the might of high-explosive bombs and incendiaries. A deep, effective form of protection became not just a desire, but an existential demand from a populace under siege. The familiar rumble of the trains was replaced by the terrifying wail of air raid sirens, and with it, a desperate search for safety.
Initially, this mass exodus into the subterranean world was an act of public initiative, born out of sheer desperation. The government, concerned about disrupting the essential transport network and fearing the potential for widespread panic in crowded tunnels, initially discouraged the use of the Underground as a shelter. However, as the nightly bombardment intensified in late 1940, people couldn't be deterred.
Driven by the instinct for survival, families, often with young children in tow, began forcing their way past official barriers and into the relative safety of the stations during air raids. They knew instinctively that the deep-level tunnels offered an unparalleled degree of protection from the devastation unfolding above ground. The earth itself became their shield.
Faced with overwhelming public pressure and the undeniable reality unfolding beneath the city streets, the government was compelled to shift its stance. What began as an unofficial, movement quickly received official recognition and organization. The Underground was formally sanctioned as a public air-raid shelter, and, at its peak, it was estimated up to 177,000 people sought refuge within its tunnels.
Life Beneath Britain's Capital City
Life beneath London established its own unique routines. As dusk approached, families began their nightly pilgrimage to their chosen station, laden with blankets, pillows, thermos flasks, and often a few precious books or playing cards. They'd stake out their regular spots on the platforms or along the walls, transforming cold concrete into makeshift homes.
The government and the London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB), now fully committed to the welfare of the shelterers, began to install an array of amenities to make these nightly stays more tolerable. Bunks were eventually installed in stations, offering a small, but significant improvement over sleeping on the hard ground. Basic sanitation facilities, including temporary toilets, were set up, alongside first aid posts staffed by volunteers. Some larger stations even managed to establish canteens, providing hot drinks and basic food items, a small comfort in the dark hours.
The platforms, once echoing with the sounds of trains, now resonated with a different kind of human activity: the murmur of conversations, the rustle of turning pages, the soft strumming of a guitar or the communal joy of a sing-along. Circulating library systems were established, providing a vital intellectual escape, and impromptu concerts and card games fostered a remarkable sense of community and camaraderie among those sharing the collective ordeal.
Challenges and Risks of Life in the Underground
Despite these valiant efforts to civilize the subterranean existence, life in the Underground shelters was far from comfortable. Overcrowding was an issue, leading to incredibly cramped conditions that tested the patience and resilience of even the most stoic individuals. Hygiene, despite the provision of facilities, remained a constant battle in such close quarters.
Perhaps the most pressing concern was health. The dense proximity of so many people created an ideal breeding ground for diseases. Fears about the rapid spread of influenza, diphtheria, and other highly-contagious illnesses were very real and required diligent monitoring and medical intervention.
While the deep tunnels offered significant protection, they weren't entirely invulnerable. Some stations suffered direct hits or collateral damage from the German attacks, leading to casualties and serving as a stark reminder that, even underground, danger could still penetrate.
Purpose-Built Deep-Level Shelters
Recognizing the need for even more robust and structured shelter, a series of purpose-built, deep-level shelters were constructed beneath existing Underground lines.
These eight structures, located at sites like Clapham Common and Belsize Park, were initially conceived for a post-war express underground railway system, but their immediate utility as air-raid shelters became paramount. Each could accommodate up to 8,000 people, offering more organized and somewhat improved living conditions than the converted stations.
How Else was the Underground Used in World War II?
The London Underground and its associated infrastructure were ingeniously repurposed for other vital wartime activities.
Portions of the network were adapted for secret government operations. The Cabinet War Rooms, where Winston Churchill directed the war effort, were connected to Westminster station, offering a quick escape or secure passage for high-ranking officials. The Post Office Railway, a separate underground mail delivery system, was even used to store priceless museum treasures, safeguarding Britain's cultural heritage from destruction.
Perhaps most astonishingly, a disused section of the Central Line near Gants Hill station was transformed into a secret aircraft factory.