Bomber by Bow, 1943

A Stirling bomber is shown in the central foreground surrounded by a crowd of spectators, with ruined buildings behind. The site depicted is the area between the church of St. Mary-le-Bow and St. Paul's Cathedral. On the left in the distance is St Vedast's spire and on the right St Mary- le bow. The whole area was completely devastated by aerial bombardment during the war.

In order to raise funds during World War Two campaigns were held annually for different parts of the armed services. The Wings for Victory campaign ran between March and June in 1943 throughout Britain, opening in London on March 6 for a week. Aircraft were placed in prominent places such as this Stirling bomber near St Paul's and another plane, a Lancaster bomber, in Trafalgar Square a scene painted by war artist Vivien Pitchforth now in the Imperial War Museum.

The topographical and townscape painter Charles Cundall ( 1890-1971) was a member of the New England Art Club and the Royal Academy. During the Second World War, he worked as an official War Artist with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.