A RARE WORLD WAR 2 CARDBOARD LONDON AIR RAID SIGN

A RARE WORLD WAR 2 CARDBOARD LONDON AIR RAID SIGN,
with printed lettering 'TO PASSERS-BY You are invited to TAKE SHELTER in this House DURING AN AIR RAID',
25 x 31cm

In 1940, and again in 1944-45, London suffered severe damage, being bombed extensively by the Luftwaffe as part of the Blitz. Prior to the bombing, hundreds of thousands of children in London were evacuated to the countryside to avoid the bombing. Civilians took shelter from the air raids in underground stations.

The heaviest bombing took place between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941. During this period, London was subjected to 71 separate raids, receiving over 18,000 tonnes of high explosive. Less intensive bombing continued over the following few years as Adolf Hitler concentrated on the Eastern front.
London suffered severe damage and heavy casualties, the worst hit part being the area around London docks. By the war's end, just under 30,000 Londoners had been killed by the bombing and over 50,000 seriously injured; tens of thousands of buildings were destroyed, and hundreds of thousands of people were made homeless.
Sold for £500

Condition report:
3cm tear, general browning – see image