The Second Great Fire of London

Seventy years ago on this very day, December 29th, Londoners experienced the Second Great Fire of London. This was the day when the German Luftwaffe tried to bring devastion to the heart of London - to destroy the City itself. In early evening thousand of incendiary bombs were dropped, causing fires in Fleet Street, Ludgate Hill; and especially the area around St. Paul's Cathedral.
      I lived in the northern suburbs and  remember to this day the sight of the all-consuming flames and the smell of the acrid smoke as I looked out from the upstairs windows of my home. It seemed impossible that any building could remain standing. The gallant men of the London Fire Service helped by the volunteer Auxiliary Service toiled hour upon hour to control the flames. They drew water from the Thames to supplement their diminishing supplies.As the evening turned to night, the fire bombs were followed by the heavy bombers. The bombardment seemed to go on for hours. Would anything remain? Winston Churchill sent out the order that St. Paul's was to be protected at all costs. so these firemen held on, hour after hour. many being killed or injured  as they worked but they never gave up. As the bombers returned home, thinking their work was done, there amidst the surrounding fires, St. Paul's Dome stood proud and  virtually untouched amidst the surrounding ruins - a symbol of hope.