Cafe de Paris, Coventry Street
8 March 1941 · London, Greater London
View this record on the map →- Date
- 8 March 1941
- Record type
- Historic bombing site
- Bomb weight
- 50kg
- Casualties
- 34
- Location
- London, Greater London
- Position accuracy
- Confirmed event, landmark point
What happened
A 50kg bomb fell through a ventilation shaft into the basement ballroom at 3-4 Coventry Street and detonated in front of the stage shortly after the evening performance began. Among the dead were the bandleader Ken Johnson and members of his band.
Casualty note
At least 34 killed and around 80 injured. Higher figures circulate in popular accounts; 34 is the sourced minimum.
Also worth knowing
Rescue was delayed because the street frontage appeared undamaged. Looting of the dead and injured led to Scots Guards being posted to secure the site.