| A Heinkel He 111 bomber flying over the Isle of Dogs in the East End of London at the start of the Luftwaffe’s evening raids on September 7, 1940, the 1st day of the Blitz. The Heinkel covers the West India Docks, a primary target. The Nazi German Luftwaffe (“Air Force”) overflew the West India Docks starting in 1939, marking out dry docks, swing bridge, storage areas, timber sheds, and anti-aircraft guns. The 1st incendiary bomb fell on East India Dock Road at 1802 Hours. 13 minutes later, The Roof of “C” Shed was damaged on the North Side of the Import Dock, West India Dock. This also struck a nearby cargo vessel, setting the poop deck and cargo alight. At 1829 Hours, the warehouse was severely damaged by incendiaries. Much of the West India Docks were destroyed by bombing, both during the 1940-1941 Blitz and the V1/V2 bombings in 1944-1945. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0300.jpg |
| Image Size | 4.01 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 4130 x 5760 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | German Air Force photographer |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | September 7, 1940 |
| Location | |
| City | London |
| State or Province | London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Archive | Imperial War Museum |
| Record Number | C 5422 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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