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Air Raid Shelters in London
During World War 2, Londoners made use of tube stations and underground tunnels as air raid shelters. To begin with there were misgivings about doing so due to the lack of ablution facilities and the fear that people would stay in them permanently.
These fears were soon dispelled. Londoners continued using the Underground stations as shelters during air raids as they felt safer there than in other shelters.
The Aldwych branch of the Piccadilly Line was closed to trains and reinforced. 79 stations were equipped with beds for 22000 people as well as first aid facilities and chemical toilets. Over a hundred canteens were also opened.
About 170 000 people used the Underground system as air raid shelters in London during WW2 and undoubtedly saved many lives. |
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