Springburn Virtual Museum

Railway industry

Springburn at 1:100000 scale, made by German Intelligence, Jan 1943

Although not as famous as Glasgow's shipbuilding industry, Springburn's locomotive industry was important, especially to the war effort. As well as building locomotives for transport of people and supplies, the factories in Springburn produced tanks, aeroplanes, weapons and munitions.

Although Springburn escaped the fate of the shipbuilding community of Clydebank, which was heavily bombed in the blitz of March 1941, the map shows that German Intelligence was well aware of Springburn's significance.

On this aerial photograph, presumably taken for use by the Luftwaffe (German Air Force), the locomotive works are clearly marked, as well as other landmarks such as the Clyde and the Forth and Clyde Canal. As well as the map coordinates, the text gives the picture number, the date the photograph was taken, and the warning: 'Only for Services use'.

Source: Glasgow City Archives