Sixteen women and children were inside the surface air raid shelter nearest the camera

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Sixteen women and children were inside the surface air raid shelter nearest the camera

Sixteen women and children were inside the surface air raid shelter nearest the camera when a heavy bomb exploded in the road about three feet from the outer wall. It happened during an air raid on an East Coast town. Only one of the occupants was slightly hurt. The shelter was one of the Ministry of Home Securitys standard reinforced communal type, built of brick and cement mortar and strengthened with 4" brick skin carried round into a new floor, with an additional 3" of concrete over the roof. The blast caused half of the shelter to sheer away from the other half. It was moved about 9 feet. The other half, which was outside the crater, was pivotted round about 2 feet. Although the skin walls were badly cracked and partly collapsed, little damage occurred inside. The shelter retained its shape and the wooden bunks were not broken.
19/08/1943

NCJ - Crown Copyright
NCJ Archive
Mirrorpix
England

Media ID 21641779

© Mirrorpix

1943 Air Raid Damage Air Raid Precautions Air Raid Shelter Blitz Bomb Bombing Destruction Air Raid

EDITORS COMMENTS
This powerful print captures a moment of resilience and survival during the chaos of World War II. In an East Coast town, sixteen women and children sought refuge inside the surface air raid shelter closest to the camera. Little did they know that their lives were about to be tested by a heavy bomb explosion just three feet away from the shelter's outer wall. Miraculously, only one person sustained minor injuries in this terrifying incident. The Ministry of Home Security had constructed this particular shelter using reinforced communal design standards, with brick and cement mortar fortified by a four-inch brick skin extending into a new floor. Additionally, three inches of concrete covered the roof for added protection. The force of the blast caused half of the shelter to separate from its counterpart, moving it approximately nine feet away. The other half, situated outside the crater left by the bomb, pivoted around two feet. Despite extensive damage to its walls—cracked and partially collapsed—the structure remarkably retained its shape inside. Notably unscathed were wooden bunks within the shelter where these brave individuals sought solace during those harrowing moments. This image stands as a testament to both human strength and architectural fortitude amidst destruction brought upon by war. Captured on August 19th, 1943, during an air raid on British soil, this photograph serves as a poignant reminder of those who endured unimaginable hardships on their home front while fighting for freedom during World War II.

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