Above: a bomb census map showing some of the bombing activity that hit central London at the height of the Blitz. © National Archives.

This bomb map covers the two-week period of 7 to 21 October 1940 - the height of the London Blitz. Although the East End of the city was slammed by the Luftwaffe during this period, many raids hit central London as can be seen in the bomb census map above.

A closer look at the area around Whitehall reveals how the National Gallery was hit and a string of bombs landed towrds the top of The Mall on Admiralty Arch and Trafalgar Square.

Above: From Leicester Square to the north, via the National Gallery, the Strand, Trafalgar Square, the Admiralty and Horse Guards Parade, bombs fell right into the centre of London during the Blitz. Churchill's 'Cabinet War Rooms' were located underneath the Treasury buildings, which took a bomb hit during this period of the Blitz. © National Archives.

At this time, the height of the Blitz, Churchill and his Cabinet would have been carrying on the business of government from the Cabinet War Rooms, deep beneath the Treasury buildings facing St James' Park.

The bomb census map shows how the Treasury buildings were indeed hit during this period and the area around King Charles Street - the entrance to today's Cabinet War Rooms Museum is also shaded as a damaged area with green cross-hatching.

Above: from Kensington to Chelsea, bombs rained down on central London during the Blitz. © National Archives.

The East End: Walthamstow Bomb Map dating from 18 – 19 April 1944

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