The Blitz in colour

  • 14 years ago

Rare colour film footage of the bomb damage inflicted on London during World War II has surfaced on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the Blitz.

The dramatic pictures shows the destruction of several London landmarks, including the flagship John Lewis store on Oxford Street.

The film was released by Westminster City Council to mark the start of the devastating German bombing campaign that began on 7 September 1940 and continued until May 1941, killing tens of thousands of civilians.

Some 1,400 people were killed during one particularly savage raid.

The film was found in the attic by the family of an air raid warden who shot it on home movie equipment in use in the 1940s.

Recommended