The Germans Gave London a 57-Night Rave They Probably Didn't Get Invited To
So, you're curious about how long Germany decided to, ahem, redecorate London with bombs during World War II? Buckle up, history buff, because we're about to dive into the nitty-gritty of the Blitz.
Those Were Some Long Nights (For Londoners, Not So Much for the Luftwaffe)
Mark your calendars, folks, because for a cool 57 nights in a row, starting September 7th, 1940, London played host to a never-ending aerial bombardment courtesy of the German Luftwaffe. That's right, for nearly two months, Londoners went to bed wondering if they'd wake up to the sweet sounds of... bombs. Not exactly ideal.
Now, some might say that's a tad excessive. Like, maybe after the 3rd night in a row of dodging falling pianos and flaming armchairs, you get the hint, right? But nope, Germany apparently had a "blitz" (which is German for "lightning war") on their schedule, and London just happened to be in the firing line.
But Wait, There's More!
Think those 57 nights were the end of it? Think again! While the night raids were a doozy, the Germans kept the party going (again, not a party for Londoners) with sporadic bombings throughout the war. So yeah, Londoners weren't exactly strangers to the sound of air raid sirens.
Moral of the story? Don't pick fights with folks who have a lot of airplanes.
Burning Questions About the Blitz (The Non-Explosive Kind, Hopefully)
Alright, history lesson over (for now), but I know what you're thinking: "This Blitz thing sounds intense. I need more info!" Well, my friend, you've come to the right place. Here are some quick answers to some burning questions you might have:
How to dodge a bomb? While we can't recommend playing real-life Frogger, finding a bomb shelter was your best bet.
How to stay calm during an air raid? Singing along to air raid sirens is not recommended. Deep breaths and a stiff upper lip (the British kind, not the fake kind) were the order of the day.
How to tell the difference between a bomb and a rogue piano falling from the sky? Honestly, in the heat of the moment, it's a toss-up.
How did Londoners survive? A good dose of resilience, a healthy amount of tea, and probably a sprinkle of gallows humor.
How long did the Blitz last altogether? The concentrated night raids lasted 57 nights, but bombings continued on and off throughout the war.
