.London SE1 had already suffered from major damage during the 1940-41 blitz and now it was to be badly affected again by the V1 and V2 attacks.In total 20 V1's and 5 V2's exploded in the area which killed about 199 people. The death rate in the area was 7.96 which was the 2nd worse in South London after SE14. This was indicative of both the tightly packed nature of the streets, and also serious incidents involving commercial property. Several missiles also destroyed blocks of flats causing serious death tolls.
Early on in the campaign a major incident occured on 19th June 1944 when a V1 Flying Bomb hit Union Street at 22.04. This was in the area around the junction with Great Guildford Street.49 people were killed in the tragedy which destroyed offices and a workshop. The area around Queen Elizabeth Street was to be singled out by no less than 4 V1's in a very small area. The first was on the 16th June,early in the campaign,killing 1person fell between Tooley Street and Queen Elizabeth Street.The 2nd on the 1st July destroyed the Goat Public House at 18, Queen Elizabeth Street and Horsleydown Mansions and killed 18. Then on the 5th July a wholesale druggist was destroyed in Lafone Street (the next road),causing further damage to QE street.Lastly on the 11st August a V1 struck Again between QE street and Tooley Street,destroying a garage and offices and killing 3.
There was a very serious V2 Rocket incident in Borough High Street on the 22nd January 1945.At 17.14 the Rocket exploded between 170-293 Borough High Street.Major destruction was caused to offices and workshops and 35 people died as a result |
