FROM Irish rebels in 1800, through two world wars, to the latest attacks by Muslim extremists using vehicles, London has been bombed, blitzed and blown-up, and a local, former military explosives officer who worked for the Counter Terrorism Command of the Metropolitan Police, has written an explosive history of the city.
Ian Jones’ latest book, London: Bombed, Blitzed and Blown Up: The British Capital Under Attack Since 1867, took him 10 years to write, using his own experience in both Northern Ireland and London, and extensive research into a subject that has fascinated him most of his life. During his research, he was actually able to tell staff at two museums that certain exhibits still contained explosive
As a civilian Explosives Officer working for the Metropolitan Police Force Bomb Squad, dealing with all incidents involving explosives and ammunition in Greater London, Ian Jones MBE was intimately involved in the response to both the 7 July and the 21 July suicide attacks in London and had the unpleasant task of searching the body of Jean Charles de Menezes. Now retired, Ian is actively involved in exploring WW1 tunnels with the Durand Group and has frequently found old ammunition in these tunnels. some which still posed a danger even after all this time.
In his book, Ian explains that in terms of bombing, London is unique. “Although it cannot claim to be the most bombed capital city in terms of the weight of explosives, it has endured the most varied and unrelenting attack since the discovery of explosives, particularly high explosives,” he writes. “Guy Fawkes started with his attempt to blow up parliament, but it was from the 1867 that the use of bombs began in earnest and started a trend, which has been ongoing ever since.
“The main culprits are the Germans and the Irish, but they are by no means alone and other terrorist groups, crooks, cranks and criminal negligence have been responsible for hundreds of attacks and accidental explosions. This book looks at how London, and its population, has dealt with these attacks.”
Ian expresses a huge admiration and respect for all the emergency services involved in dealing with attacks on the city, but special acknowledgement goes to the members of the police force: “It was police officers that removed a bomb from the Palace of Westminster in the first Irish Campaign and were first into the tunnel at Aldgate after the 7 July suicide bombs,” he says. “It is those who are first on scene and have to deal with the confused, chaotic and disorganised situations they find, often working against the clock, that have the hardest job.”
From Suffragets, Zeppelins, V1 and V2 bombs, anarchists, letter bombs and suicide vests; the effects on London and the response of the citizens, the brave police officers and military who had to deal with them; it’s all there in Ian’s book, London: Bombed, Blitzed and Blown Up.
The very recent terrorist attacks, using vehicles as weapons, is a new departure in attacks on London, and have taken place since Ian wrote his book. And for the reason behind this change in tactic, Ian has a theory: “The use of vehicles is a departure from the norm, but is only because the terrorists cannot get access to guns or explosives. As we have seen vehicles, especially lorries or vans, are very hard to stop and can kill many people before they are stopped.”
London: Bombed, Blitzed and Blown Up is a fascinating and detailed read for anyone interested in the history of our capital city, and is a revealing insight into the background of what generations of Londoners have come to accept almost as a fact of life over the generations, but which has nonetheless left her citizens uncowed and refusing to be terrorised, but continuing living their lives has they always have done in that stoic way that only Londoners can.
The book is available from Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/London-Bombed-Blitzed-British-Capital/dp/1473878993
“The most comprehensive and record of Britain’s capital under attack that has ever been compiled.” Telegraph Books
