Starter Source 1

Monochrome photograph of a suited man standing in the middle of a city street reduced to rubble. Only a few houses are somewhat intact. Two groups of people close by stand talking or picking through the rubble.
View full size image

Photograph from 1944 called: ‘Effects of V2 (Ringwood Way, Southgate, London) Catalogue ref: HO 338/27

Try and read the caption. Use a map of London to find the location of the photograph if possible.

The ‘V2’ was a rocket, a long-distance weapon that could travel at the speed of sound. They were used by Germany against British towns and cities from 1943 during the Second World War.

« Return to Empire Windrush: Caribbean migration

Discuss the following questions:

  • What can you see in this photograph?
  • Can you think of 5 words to describe it?
  • Why do you think this photograph was taken?
  • Why is this a black and white photograph?
  • Can you make a list of different workers who would be needed to help the place in the photograph recover?
  • How does this photograph explain why people travelled on the Windrush after the Second World War?