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Air Raid over Southend, 1917, WW1
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Air Raid over Southend, 1917, WW1
An air raid over Southend-on-Sea in Essex on 12 August 1917 in which 10 men, 13 women and 9 children were killed. The raid was destined for London but intercepted by British planes the German aircraft retreated dropping some of its bombs on the town. The Graphic magazine, which printed this picture indignantly and sarcastically calls Southend a " fortress" (it wasn t). Date: 1917
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Media ID 14155641
© Mary Evans Picture Library
Attack Attacked Bombed Bombing Bombs Dropping Essex Raid Raids Southend Towns
EDITORS COMMENTS
This haunting image captures the aftermath of the unexpected air raid on Southend-on-Sea, Essex, on 12 August 1917, during the First World War. The town, far from being a fortress as sarcastically labelled by The Graphic magazine, was an unassuming coastal community in England's home front. The intended target was London, but British planes intercepted the German aircraft, forcing them to retreat, dropping their bombs haphazardly on the town instead. The devastating attack resulted in the tragic loss of 10 men, 13 women, and 9 children. The image, taken from The Graphic magazine, poignantly documents the destruction and chaos that ensued, with smoke rising from the buildings and debris scattered across the streets. The unexpected attack served as a grim reminder of the war's reach beyond the traditional battlefields and the vulnerability of civilians on the home front. This historical photograph offers a poignant glimpse into a pivotal moment in the annals of World War I history.
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