Wednesday 23 December 2015

23/24 December 1940: The London Underground on this day 75 years ago

One hundred and eighth day of the London Blitz.

At 19:45 on the 23rd four High Explosive (HE) bombs fell in the vicinity of the joint LMS and Metropolitan line tracks near Neasden station, with a crater between the north and southbound local roads displacing both tracks, and damaging the up fast line negative rail. At Neasden Depot there was damage to No. 22 Siding, Nos. 11 and 12 shed roads, and a concrete roadway. In the engine room at Neasden Power Station at Quainton Street, No. 10 turbine and auxiliary equipment was damaged, but another five generators remained operational. Four staff were injured.[1][2][3][4] All services were suspended between Willesden Green and Wembley Park, with services on the fast lines resumed at 22:30. A temporary bus service operated between Willesden Green and Wembley Park between 22:28 and 22:45, and all services were normal from the start of traffic on the 24th.[5]

At 08:00 on the 24th, the following working conditions were reported:
New damage

Neasden power station, one generating set affected.

Changes

No change after temporary stoppage Willesden – Wembley.[6]

Unexploded Bombs

Nil.[7]

[1] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Damage Summary 23-24/12/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/5]
[2] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Damage Summary 23-24/12/40, page 5 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/5]
[3] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 23/12/40 to 06:00 24/12/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
[4] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 26/12/40, page 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/5]
[5] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 23/12/40 to 06:00 24/12/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[6] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 24/12/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/5]
[7] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 24/12/40, page 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/5]

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