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WW2 - Bomb Damage to Houses of Parliament, London
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WW2 - Bomb Damage to Houses of Parliament, London
In the course of the German bombing of London during the Second World War, the Palace of Westminster was hit by bombs on fourteen separate occasions. One bomb fell into Old Palace Yard on 26th September 1940 and severely damaged the south wall of St Stephens Porch and the west front. The statue of Richard the Lionheart (pictured here) was lifted from its pedestal by the force of the blast, and its upheld sword bent, an image that was used as a symbol of the strength of democracy, " which would bend but not break under attack". Date: 1940
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Media ID 11580745
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
26th Bend Bent Blitz Bomb Bombed Bombing Break Damage Democracy Devastation Horseback Lionheart Parliament Porch Rubble Ruin Smashed Stephens Westminster Yard
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the devastating impact of the German bombing of London during World War II on the iconic Houses of Parliament. On the fateful day of September 26, 1940, a bomb struck Old Palace Yard, causing significant damage to the south wall of St. Stephen's Porch and the west front. The force of the blast was so immense that it lifted the statue of Richard the Lionheart from its pedestal, bending his upheld sword in the process. This powerful image became a symbol of resilience and the unwavering strength of democracy, which, despite being under relentless attack, refused to break. The Blitz, as the bombing campaign was known, left a trail of ruin and rubble across the city, but the spirit of the British people remained unbroken. This poignant snapshot of history serves as a reminder of the indomitable human spirit and the enduring power of symbolism in the face of adversity.
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