Thom, C; (2014) '"Save St Paul's!" Historic monuments as symbols of endurance in the London Blitz'. In: Calvano, T and Forti, M, (eds.) Musei e Monumenti in Guerra 1939-1945. Londra Parigi Roma Berlino - a cura di Teresa Calvano e Micol Forti. (pp. 167-182). Musei Vaticani: Vatican City, Italy.

Text Thom Colin Thom Save St Pauls paper revised minus ills captions.pdf - Accepted Version Access restricted to UCL open access staff Download (178kB)

Abstract

The outbreak of war in 1939 brought an immediate threat to London’s historic fabric from enemy bombing. This paper considers the significance of such buildings and monuments to the British authorities and general public alike during the Blitz of 1940–1 as symbols of identity, unity and endurance. It examines the steps taken to protect the capital’s architecture during these early attacks, which devastated a large area of the historic City of London and destroyed many of its most important monuments, including several of Sir Christopher Wren’s churches. St Paul’s Cathedral’s survived amidst the ruins, adding to the power of its symbolism. This paper also looks briefly at how the experience of the Blitz stimulated the conservation and building-recording movement in Britain, and at plans by some leading thinkers to leave ruined City churches as war memorials after the conflict.

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