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The West End in blackout, September 1939
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The West End in blackout, September 1939
Photograph of the West End in blackout, shortly after the outbreak of war in September 1939. The Sphere describes the sight as " extraordinarily eerie".
1939
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Media ID 23268970
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Blackout Jul19 Lights Outbreak Phoney Phony Precaution Precautions Protection Raid Raids Visibility
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September 1939: The West End in Darkest Hour Amidst the ominous clouds of war, the West End of London, once the vibrant heart of the city, lay shrouded in an eerie silence and darkness. In the early hours of September 1, 1939, as the 2nd World War officially began with Germany's invasion of Poland, the British government imposed strict blackout regulations to minimize the risk of air raids. The streets of the West End, renowned for their bright lights and bustling energy, were plunged into an unsettling stillness. The photograph above, taken by an unnamed photographer for The Sphere, captures the extraordinarily eerie sight of the West End in blackout, shortly after the outbreak of war. The absence of lights casts an otherworldly glow upon the deserted streets, with only the dimly lit windows of a few buildings piercing the inky darkness. The once familiar landmarks, now obscured by the darkness, seem to have been swallowed by the night. The blackout was a necessary precaution, as the British government feared that unlit buildings would provide an easy target for enemy bombers. The streets were lined with sandbags and barricades, and the air raid sirens were a constant reminder of the imminent threat. The phony lights, or phoney lights, which were used to deceive enemy planes, added an unsettling surrealism to the already disquieting scene. As the days passed, the West End, like the rest of London, adapted to this new reality. The eerie silence was broken by the sound of sirens, the distant drone of planes, and the occasional explosion. The blackout became a symbol of resilience and determination, as the people of London refused to let the darkness dampen their spirit. The West End, though transformed, remained a beacon of hope and defiance in the face of adversity.
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