Sussex Street SW1

7-8 September 1940

By Nichola O'Brien

The first weeks of the Blitz were a harsh realisation for Londoners, their first real taste of Britain at War. From 7 September to 2 November 1940, raids on the capital were unleashed by the Luftwaffe without respite: for 57 consecutive nights. For the Police and City of Westminster ARP Wardens based in Pimlico, this opening phase of the London Blitz provided brutal experience of the realities of local civil defence and of the demands of mass evacuation.

On 7 September 1940 - the first day of the Blitz - a high explosive delayed-action bomb hit the front of houses between 7-14 Sussex Street SW1 and punched through into a basement. Approximately 200 people were evacuated from surrounding homes to neighbouring London County Council rest centres and nearby schools. The bomb did not explode on impact but it smashed coal gas and water mains and caused hysteria among local residents.

A rescue worker assessed the situation at 7-14 Sussex Street and found several people huddled together in the basement, freezing and petrified of drowning. Here, the water level began to rise, flooding vaults under the street being used as shelters. In the confusion, the shocked residents were too frightened to move. They pointed to a shark-like bomb fin protruding from the flood water. With the bomb sitting close by, the highest priority was to get the residents out as quickly and as safely as possible. The emergency services extracted the terrified residents and gave first aid as they emerged.

At 6am, 8 September, the bomb exploded, destroying the entire Sussex Street corner and starting a raging fire. One man, who had returned home after the evacuation was complete - unbeknownst to the local wardens - was still asleep in bed when the bomb went off. Remaining blissfully unaware of the situation, he survived, although half his house was blown to pieces.