How Did London Survive The Blitz During WW2? | Cities At War: London | War Stories

[@Error_404-F.cks_Not_Found]

This was actually fascinating . I’ve seen entirely too many WWII docs. But most of this footage was new to me. Very cool

[@robincowley5823]

Agreed. And it's a real plus to have the civil defence strategy properly explained - plusses and minuses both. My grandfather was a London blitz fireman and though I never knew him my mother's told me about visiting him in the fire station and being unable to recognise him after the December 29th raid - he was black from grime from head to foot.

[@misterakt]

i've watched too many WW2 docs as well, and consider this one to be among the best. the people of London during the war were among the bravest to walk the earth, and their story deserves to be immortalized.

[@gregsayles9253]

My great-aunt lived through the Blitz in Britain/She kept a diary we still have today & letter's she sent about her life then & the air-raid bombings & V1 & V2's, gas-masks, light's -out, etc. /Quite resilient people back then...

[@TheBestDog]

_”Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few”_ *-Winston Churchill*

[@zmajodnocaja5088]

that would be the man who sat in an underground bunker and caused the blitz despite the germans offering peace a million times, which he refused and sent the raf to bomb berlin a bunch of times?

[@TheBestDog]

@@zmajodnocaja5088 Adolf Zitler “offered” peace three or four times max

[@Tazza81]

Thank the Czechs and Poles. If it hadn't been for them (especially the Poles) then the Battle of Britain quite possibly would have been lost.

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

@@Tazza81 Poland prevented the UK and France from allying with the USSR in 1939.

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

Churchill was a traitor.

[@prestonhanson501]

Don't the brits have such elegant speech? I'm proud we Americans helped our friends like we did. The British were deserving for having such heart

[@topsweatgaming1764]

We really only helped because we had to…Churchill pleaded for help from us for years and we made empty promises. However had we not helped we wouldn’t really be the power country we are today

[@jamesbirkett5831]

@@topsweatgaming1764 uuuuu😅😅😅😅😅😅z😅zc😅😅,..,,😅😅😅😅😅c,6

[@jamesbirkett5831]

@@topsweatgaming1764 😅😅😅

[@jamesbirkett5831]

You

[@SITS101]

@@topsweatgaming1764 Read history about FDR. He helped them as much as he could. He would have taken us to war long before we did but the citizens of the US wouldn't allow it. We were isolationists after WWI. Please note that Germany took first place even after the Japaneze attacked us. Helping the Brits was always first.

[@alexrogers9051]

The people standing together is why they survived it.

[@brendadickson1755]

I was born during the blitz in London dad was in the army my mother became an alcoholic she had my brother as well aged 5 when I was born, in 1942 we were evacuated to a place in wales, in 1945 end of war she walked out, never saw her again, I am 82 now 🇬🇧

[@bodaciousbiker]

This is a wonderful documentary on the life of London during the blitz. The combination of graphic newsreel footage from the period interspersed with the priceless recollections of those who lived it and paired with that superb narration, seems to almost transport the viewer back to 1940's London!. I only wish that modern documentaries were as well made today.

[@AprilPotts-f7x]

Very good documentary !!!! My Grandparents took in a little girl from the East End of London during the war, as they lived in Leicester. My Parents met during WWII in Leicester, my Dad was 82ND AIRBORNE and my Mother was born and raised in Leicester, they married on November 7, 1944.

[@patriciaclark9957]

I often wish I'd lived back then but I wonder if I could have been as brave as these people were.

[@brendadickson1755]

Patricia Clark@ I was born in Lambeth march during the blitz, my brother was 5, my mother I now realise why my mother became an alcoholic, dad was away in the army, we were evacuated to wales in 1942, after the war ended in September I came home to see her all dolled up with two suitcases I said where are you going mum, she said just taking these to a friend, that night my father came stood by my bedroom door I was 5and half, he said your mother has left and will not be coming back, do not mention her name again,no hugs he just walked out, when Harry talks about his mother and his loss he had plenty of care from the royal family,

[@patriciaclark9957]

@@brendadickson1755 What a sad story Brenda. I wish you all the best.

[@BCSoHappy]

Tucker Carlson’s mum did the same thing to him and his brother. Most sad, even though he is grown up, to hear him speak of it😅.

[@marialanchester8180]

The after affects that happen to families after war is more suffering, it’s not easy on either side. And can last a life time😢

[@roslynweidemann9487]

II worked for a English Baker who had migrated to Australia 🇦🇺 in the late 60s and he had his Bakery in Lilydale Victoria Australia 🇦🇺 and across Moroondah highway was the C.F.A and when the sirens 🚨 would sound for fire 🔥 drills my employer would freak out in terror so I said too him, " Mr Edwards what's wrong, it's just the fire brigade " and he gave me this look of terror and said " Rose that sirens remind me of the German's bombing 💣 London " I told him your safe here in Australia 🇦🇺 He'd later tell us how the British were determined not to let the Nazis onto British soil

[@ElleCee62978]

My great aunt was killed during the Blitz. She fled Lithuania prior to the war.

[@ssutherland9019]

Good use of original footage. Should be shown to all our secondary schoolchildren. People all helped each other true but the fallout on the next generation, including my parents, was huge.

[@rblxcrimsonn]

They show it to us year 6s.

[@notfooled.]

Because the city was full of proper Londoners, who loved the UK. In other words, the complete opposite of present day London

[@Rinahoidhche]

It's depressing to think of what would happen now if order broke down.

[@spannaspinna]

@@Rinahoidhche it would look exactly the same just just no air raids 😂

[@Bradandchristinenj]

Excellent documentary, unusual British news video (for a Yank), showing the Blitz through British eyes. Freedom isn’t free. Thank you.

[@kaylemoine1571]

Most Americans only know what Britain went through from Hollywood. This is an excellent presentation. Thank you.

[@Flanker-NineZero]

How does the Hollywood protrayal differ? As a millennial Brit, I'd say this documentary fleshed out my understanding rather than introducing anything new or changing any old ideas. So I'm curious how an American views The Blitz.

[@buffordpusser8597]

Well that just shows how ignorant you are !

[@droctaconuk]

People today don't realise how lucky they are that they didn't have to grow up not knowing what tomorrow may bring

[@scottwaters2651]

This was the best Documentary l have ever seen on ww2 by far.

[@1339LARS]

Fantastic!!!!!!

[@grumpynanny7402]

We had an Anderson shelter in the garden. Way up the back by the trees. There was everything in it.

[@palaceofwisdom9448]

After these last three years, it is incredible to see that this sort of human resolve ever existed.

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

Excellent documentary coverage about previous preparations for war ( enemy bombarding) circumstances.. Documentary showed highly discipline, responsibility enlightenment of British populations at that time ,government showed highly moral of citizens as responded of London bombarding by Lowftwafa airplanes ...thanks for sharing

[@scottymontgomery5519]

Excellent friggin’ documentary…

[@TooLooze]

The soundtrack was as well chosen as the dialog.

[@JazmineRoberts]

Its facinating

[@DenD]

We are at our best when things are worst - Starman

[@truejustice8849]

Proud to be British Muslim ☪️

[@tamaramorton8812]

@Trad PNW Your comment makes Americans look bad and I’m an American.

[@SITS101]

@tradpnw Brah.. As an American, your comment is very offensive.

[@kennethbooker4955]

It’s amazing how they filmed all this thank your how told us about the war I was born in 1946 so I didn’t see any thing to do with the war ❤❤

[@madamedemonsieur]

Great documentary, fascinating (I wonder if the two cats in it - one walking in ruins and one held by its owner in a shelter - survived the war?). Only complaint as with so much on YT now: far too many ads.

[@Geojr815]

6:55 Motorists shutting their lights off caused 40 pedestrian deaths on London streets every day?!?!

[@kennethbooker4955]

They built a lot of prefabs out side london for people who have lost there houses ❤

[@sunrayisdown1690]

London survived it the same as the rest of the UK. It was not the only place bombed.

[@BlueSaphire70]

You're absolutely right. For instance, Coventry was absolutely devastated and so was Liverpool. Many port and industrial cities like Glasgow, Manchester, Plymouth, Birmingham, Hull, and Cardiff were terribly bombed as well. I guess London gets more attention because it got bombed the longest, it was the capital, as well as the seat of government. If it had fallen, that could have been it for the whole country.

[@hansgruber650]

Why was not 10 Downing St. flattened?

[@csonracsonra9962]

Imagine this question coming from hans😂

[@rockets4kids]

They were using a captured alien force field.

[@hansgruber650]

@@csonracsonra9962 Kinda odd to me since they bombed the Berghof but this was left untouched, scratch your head and think about it awhile.

[@hansgruber650]

@@rockets4kids Lol

[@TheBestDog]

On 14 October 1940, the Germans scored an indirect hit on 10 Downing St damaging the kitchen and killing three workers. The fact this only happened once is due to the courageous men of the RAF

[@michealschmidt908]

Russia invaded Poland too but allies only declared war on Germany were they afraid of communism which erupted in the 50s-60s during the cold war

[@KoolT]

Heartbreaking 42:00 great

[@wap9137]

Just think. If Britain had lost, probably no Beatles.

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

The Beatles funded terrorism.

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

@@JamesRichards-mj9kw Jesus James... that's hilarious... even for YOU !!!! Hahahaha

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

@@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684 Lennon's own family confirmed it.

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

@@JamesRichards-mj9kw This may come as news to you "James" but John Lennon was not "the Beatles".

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

@@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684 McCartney also funded the IRA.

[@nickcallegari]

I bet they weren’t thinking about pronouns & whatever woke BS some people think about these days ahahaha 🤣

[@user-px1nd1qz5i]

Amen

[@iriscollins7583]

I bet there were quite a few interesting pronouns, not usually used in decent company.

[@irishgurl3078]

What does woke even mean? Also, I’m pretty sure nobody worries about pronouns more than conservatives. The rest of us don’t care what people refer to themselves as because it doesn’t have any effect on our lives.

[@theibecks]

25:11 they liked a good what now?

[@JazmineRoberts]

I am worried😢😢😢

[@stewartwebb5699]

Very god look at WW2 in London. As I write this bombs are being dispatched by the Russians, But no where near on this scale. Londoners were so brave.

[@janeeire2439]

6:25 12:40 16:50

[@elijahcaon8094]

'Evacuation of children went well' Except for how it didnt, kids were abused, and statistially evacuated children had far worse mental health outcomes.

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

"mental health outcome" BS didn't exist in them days. You got on with it.

[@MarkHarrison733]

@@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684 Why defend child abuse?

[@feza9804]

I remember the king, probably edward who visited Atatürk in istanbul in 1936..

[@TheBestDog]

Were you in Istanbul for the 1936 visit?

[@mikedimarco3008]

Britian had the following to thank for its survival; The United states 🇺🇸 Neutrality Act Britsh/French purchasing Commission

[@leewickenden3024]

We did and do indeed thank the U.S. for the survival, as friends and allies however you can thank us right back , the war didnt start with the Doolittle raid of April 1942 it started in September 1939, had Britain and the commonwealth folded early you would have been in a real pickle .

[@jonlen100]

Great people

[@LindaAndrews-ly1qf]

26:04 26:45

[@RandyArmy]

Gas mask with cigarette great

[@csonracsonra9962]

"The prostitute's stood under the business as usual sign" This became illegal due to woman🤷😒

[@GamerFrisco]

Umbrellas.

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

Churchill began civilian bombing.

[@bw6524]

Hello Mark Harrison. How much do you get paid to tell lies?

[@MarkHarrison733]

@@bw6524 Churchill had devised area bombing and night terror raids in Iraq during the 1920s.

[@bw6524]

@@MarkHarrison733 as usual you are telling lies. Germany devised area bombing during WW1.

[@bw6524]

@@MarkHarrison733 it's also nice to see 2 of your troll accounts on the same thread.

[@christophercook723]

The Blitz finished before the Yanks arrived after the Battle of Britain in Sept1940. The saying was. Whats the befinision of an American Bra? One Yank and its off.

[@christophercook723]

@user-wj6dt5bq3w Yes and lone Fw 190s did terrror raids in London in 1943 /4. My mother worked at C&A in Peckham London snd worked with ladies who lost School children Staffed and Murdered in their playground. Dr Mark Felton mentions it in one of his presentations but only about those Raids. Bloody animals. My uncle got a Gernam girlfriend but my Grandmother would not let him bring her inside. I can understand why .

[@MarkHarrison733]

@@christophercook723 The US was already at war in 1940.

[@christophercook723]

@@MarkHarrison733 Where the jaos attacked Hawai 7th December 1941 and before that you were not involved I War's.

[@christophercook723]

@@MarkHarrison733 Wrong Google it.

[@JoMarieM]

@@MarkHarrison733 Wrong. The US didn't get involved in the war until after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Some of our soldiers served with the RAF on a voluntary basis, and the US loaned out war equipment to Britain, but that was the extent of our involvement in WW2 until early 1942.

[@KoolT]

I read that many women pregnant during bomnings terrible side effects

[@HaliK7829]

Amongst many vital signs the beginning of this. Is within the blood that is internally within.😂 Understood many that this might be above many foreign hierarchy rather Status Of kings. 😂❤😜

[@johnwilliams9133]

Britain was wrong for returning the favor BS

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

Says who? We didn't bomb them enough.

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

@@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684 Churchill began civilian bombing.

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

The Blitz was in response to the RAF bombing cities and towns in Germany.

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

@@JamesRichards-mj9kw Same old parrotted nonsense "James", as ever without a single shred of evidence. What was Kondor Legion's bombing of various Spanish towns, most notably at Guernica, "in response" to? Don't parrot your usual nonsense of "Guernica was a military target"... The Spanish nationalists must have really needed to stop those local Basque farmers from trading their produce in Guernica's town market !!!

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

@@JamesRichards-mj9kw The VERY first bombs to fall on the land of EITHER country during WW2? The Luftwaffe attack on RAF Sullom Voe in the Shetland Islands on 13th November 1939. The RAF RESPONDED by dropping their VERY FIRST bombs on German soil by attacking the German seaplane base on the island of Sylt in the North sea on 19th March 1940, FOUR MONTHS after the first of repeated German air attacks on RAF and Royal Navy bases on the British mainland. Prior to the RAF's attack on Sylt in March 1940, they had been prohibited by the British government from dropping ANY bombs on German soil whatsoever, instead preferring to avoid civilian casualties by supplying the German demand for toilet paper and dropping propaganda leaflets over German cities instead. The first civilian casualty of either of the two countries was a Mr James Isbister who on 16th March 1940 was killed in the village of Brig o' Waithe in the Orkney islands during a luftwaffe attack on Scapa Flow. The first RAF bombs to land on the German mainland fell on May 11th 1940, and were likewise ostensibly directed at military targets such as Bridges and railyards west of the river Rhine to disrupt the supply of the German armies then attacking France and the Low countries. Both sides in striking designated non civilian targets regularly caused what is quaintly known as "collateral civilian casualties" (Remember while we're discussing this we're ignoring the direct aerial assaults of the nazis on Polish towns and cities in the east and the bombing of Rotterdam and the aerial attacks executed against the roads of France clogged with hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing from the invading German armies in the west). The first large scale infliction of civilian casualties between Germans and the British? (once again we're disregarding the bombing by Germany of other nation's civilians, and concentrating on their attacks solely against Britain) During the second phase of the "battle of Britain" the Luftwaffe attacked multiple RAF fighter stations within the boundary of Greater London such as RAF Biggin Hill, Hornchurch, Kenley & Northolt through the first 2 weeks of August 1940. During these attacks HUNDREDS of "collateral" civilian deaths were inflicted on the British populace. On the night of 23/24th August 1940 the RAF once again RESPONDED to these German air attacks by launching their FIRST bombing of targets within a city, by attacking Templehof airport and Klingenberg Power Station in the suburbs of Berlin. This precipitated the first widespread air attacks on civilian targets when the German launched their "blitz" against London and 50 other British towns and cities, culminating in the first attempt by humanity to create an "aerial firestorm", that being the Luftwaffe bombing of Coventry on the night of 14/15th November 1940. Once again the British RESPONDED by launching their VERY FIRST aerial attack directed specifically at German civilians, that being "Operation Abigail" the RAF attack on the German city of Mannheim on the night of 16/17th Dec 1940. (For comparisons sake the Luftwaffe murdered 568 innocent British cvilians during their attack on Coventry, the British for their part murdered 34 innocent German civilians during their bombing of Mannheim). Do you see the pattern that has formed? Initial (and repeated) luftwaffe aerial attacks on Britain that caused a British response.

[@dimad6502]

By fakery thatshow 😂

[@davidgamble5756]

How many times are they going to tell this story 🥱

[@BlueSaphire70]

As long as it takes to remind people of how close it all came. People who don't know history are bound to repeat it.

[@MarkHarrison733]

Churchill began civilian bombing.

[@spannaspinna]

Germany began civilian bombing

[@MarkHarrison733]

@@spannaspinna Churchill had devised area bombing of civilians in Iraq during the 1920s.

[@spannaspinna]

@@MarkHarrison733 either way it works very well , the Germans also aerial bombed London in ww1 which predates 1920

[@MarkHarrison733]

@@spannaspinna The RNAS had bombed Germany in 1914.