| “Saint Paul’s Survives,” is a photograph taken in London during the night air raid of December 29-30, 1940, the 114th night of the Blitz of the United Kingdom by the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany. It shows Saint Paul’s Cathedral, illuminated by fires and surrounded by the smoke of burning buildings. It was taken by photographer Herbert Mason (1903 – 1964) in the early hours of December 30, from the roof of Northcliffe House, the offices of the Daily Mail newspaper, on Tudor Street, close to Fleet Street. The photograph has become a symbol of British resilience and courage, and is considered 1 of the iconic images of the Blitz. It became “instantly famous,” and turned the Cathedral into “a symbol of togetherness, survival and suffering.” The raid during which the photograph was shot became known as the “Second Great Fire of London”: more than 160 people died, over 500 were injured, and hundreds of buildings were destroyed. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0313.jpg |
| Image Size | 718.64 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2872 x 2237 |
| Photographer | Herbert Mason |
| Photographer Title | |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | December 30, 1940 |
| Location | |
| City | London |
| State or Province | London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Archive | Imperial War Museum |
| Record Number | HU 36220 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
Author of the World War II Multimedia Database