History Extra podcast Murder in WW2 London
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Jan 27, 2025 In this discussion, Amy Helen Bell, a history professor and author of "Under Cover of Darkness: Murders in Blackout London," unpacks the chilling crimes of World War II London. She reveals the dark reality behind the illusory 'Blitz Spirit,' highlighting how chaos allowed serial killers like Gordon Cummins and John Christie to prey on vulnerable citizens. The conversation also illuminates the challenges law enforcement faced amidst wartime turmoil and the emotional toll that brutal events took on Londoners.
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Tragic Mercy Killing
- Pamela Wright gassed her daughter and herself due to the emotional strain of war.
- Her husband expressed compassion, attributing it to her mental distress over the war.
Another Mercy Killing
- An ARP rescue worker strangled his mother, worried about her navigating stairs to the shelter.
- Such acts of violence reflect repressed emotions and wartime anxieties.
Blitz: Relief and Breakdown
- The Blitz's onset provided a strange relief as people confronted their fear of bombing.
- However, it led to societal breakdowns, creating opportunities for crimes in shelters and bomb sites.
