Strand WC2

16 November 1940

By John Winger

On 16 November 1940, at around 2.15am, two high explosive bombs exploded on the eastern end of The Strand WC2. These bombs damaged the world-famous Savoy and Strand Palace Hotels.

The first bomb landed of the roadway just outside the Strand Palace Hotel (opened 1909), left no one injured or dead but badly damaged the pavement and basement of Dunn & Co at No 373 Strand. Despite this near miss, the Strand Palace Hotel remained open throughout the Blitz:

"During the Second World War, food ration vouchers could be exchanged for meals in the restaurant, and air raid shelters were provided for all guests in the basement vaults. Due to its large number of bedrooms, the Hotel became popular with the American armed forces before they were sent into action. The Hotel was in fact commissioned as an official U.S rest and recuperation residence. Once again the Hotel became an important social venue as Londoners and war-weary soldiers jived and jitterbugged long into the night" (Strand Palace Hotel, website 2015).

At the Savoy Hotel (opened 1889), a second bomb detonated on its north eastern corner. Two people inside were killed and the area around Room 421 suffered major damage.

Like the Strand Palace, the Savoy remained defiantly open throughout the Second World War, maintaining its pre-war reputation for social exclusivity and offering guests an above average air raid shelter in its basement.