EAW002185 ENGLAND (1946). The Crescent and town centre, Watford, from the south-east, 1946

A fine view looking north and west over the historic core of Watford, featuring many of the principal landmarks of the town, which appear to have survived six years of war. RAF pilots used to remark that Watford from the air in the 1940s contained plenty of open spaces and hardly resembled an important industrial centre. In fact, more bombs fell on the rural surroundings than on the town itself, perhaps reflecting upon the proximity to London.