Londoners ‘getting on with it,’ show ‘backbone’

LONDON – The priority in the morning was getting in touch with loved ones – it seemed everyone had a cell phone in hand. By evening, maps replaced phones as thousands of Londoners tried to navigate routes home made unfamiliar by police roadblocks and shuttered subway stations.

Amid the twisted metal and mangled bodies left by Thursday’s devastating bomb attacks, Londoners took pride in their tradition of fortitude and quiet defiance.

“As Brits, we’ll carry on – it doesn’t scare us at all,” said 37-year-old tour guide Michael Cahill. “Look, loads of people are walking down the streets. It’s Great Britain – not called ‘Great’ for nothing.”

The worst attack on London since World War II brought out a strength and esprit de corps that recalled Britain under the blitz of German bombers.

“People are getting on with it,” said taxi driver Steve Green. “It’s marvelous that they’re showing their backbone.”

Londoners grew used to terrorism during years of Irish Republican Army violence. But Thursday’s attacks were the deadliest in the city since World War II.

Many in the city demonstrated the resolute “Blitz spirit” that – at least in the popular imagination – prevailed through the worst days of German bombing.

“People are more friendly,” said office worker Eric Procter as he began a long journey home. “Before, you’d walk this way and you wouldn’t get any smiles. People are helping each other. They’re stopping for directions and getting pointed in the right direction.”

Computer technician Matt Carter, 25, said he was struck by how the attacks had united Londoners.

“It’s amazing how people have stuck together. I’ve seen total strangers hugging each other and people coming out into the street with free cups of tea,” he said.

“We can’t let the terrorists defeat us. We’ve got to show them they will never win.”