The Blitz
Short History Of...
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The History of Shelter in the Blitz
During the Blitz, many Londoners sought shelter in Anderson shelters. The government had been very much in favour of a policy of dispersal. By mid-September, 150,000 people are sleeping in the tunnels every night. Many refuse to be dissuaded and take matters into their own hands. They set up their own sort of antisocial communities below ground. It is impossible to distinguish genuine travellers from those who buy a ticket and simply remain down there. For most, though, it is not a pleasant experience. People are crammed next to each other on staircases and platforms while commuters exiting trains clamber over them. There is no privacy or washing facilities, and with only chemical toilets available,
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