摘要: |
For most of us, the greatest disruption we have experienced in the normal rhythm of our lives has been the Covid-19 pandemic, which after two years is continuing to dampen demand for public transport and makes us think twice about doing much that we took for granted before. But those who lived through World War Two experienced far worse for far longer, especially in London where civilians -transport workers included - were on the receiving end of enemy action for long periods of the six-year conflict. In all, 321 of London Transport's bus and tram employees were killed in the course of their work in conventional bomber raids or strikes in 1944/45 by V1 flying bombs and V2 rockets. Their names appear in a roll of honour at the start of this book of quality photographs and many words, published to Capital Transport's customary high standard. It draws on official archives and young enthusiasts' contemporary observations of how London Transport's motorbus, trolleybus and tram services prepared themselves for the war and how enemy activity affected them between 1939 and 1945. The youngsters' observations involved some sneaking into garages, chatting with friendly staff and occasional use of a telescope. |