World · Europe · 22 hrs ago
Bombs hit Wimbledon’s Centre Court during the Blitz in 1940
On October 11, 1940, five bombs hit the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, London, during the German bombing campaign known as the Blitz.
The club hosted the Wimbledon Championships, which had moved to its Church Road site in 1922.
One bomb tore through Centre Court’s roof and destroyed 1,200 seats.
Other bombs hit the golf course, the club’s entrance and its tool house.
The club had also been used during the war for growing food and housing animals, while some buildings served emergency services.
The Championships had stopped during the war, but the courts were maintained.
A tournament for players in the armed services was held in June 1945, and the Championships resumed in 1946 after Centre Court was repaired.
Five bombs struck the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon on October 11, 1940, during the Blitz.
One bomb hit Centre Court, tearing its roof and destroying 1,200 seats.
The club was targeted during German raids on Wimbledon, which was home to two factories important to the war effort.
The Championships resumed in 1946, while full repairs to Centre Court took nine years.
- Who
- The All England Lawn Tennis Club was hit by German bombs.
- What
- Five bombs struck the club; one hit Centre Court and destroyed 1,200 seats.
- When
- October 11, 1940.
- Where
- The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, including Centre Court.
- Why
- Wimbledon was often targeted because it was home to two factories important to the war effort.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
One of the car parks was ploughed up to grow vegetables. Another housed pigs, chickens, ducks, geese and rabbits in temporary wooden homes, while the main concourse echoed to the marching feet of detachments of the London Welsh and London Irish regiments.
The Blitz began, with London systematically bombed on 56 of the next 57 days and nights.
Five bombs hit the All England Lawn Tennis Club, including one that struck Centre Court.
A tournament featuring players from the armed services was held at the club, attracting 5,000 spectators.
The Championships resumed, with Centre Court repaired.
- Bombs hitting the club
- 5
- Centre Court seats destroyed
- 1,200
- Date of bombing
- October 11, 1940
- Post-war tournament
- June 1945; 5,000 spectators
- Championships resumed
- 1946
Sources
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