The Balham Underground Station disaster occurred when a German bomb struck the station on a night when London was under heavy aerial attack. The bomb exploded above ground, leading to part of the station's roof caving in and burying many civilians who had sought shelter there. At that time during the Blitz, London's transport infrastructure, including the underground system, was heavily used by residents fleeing the dangers of air raids. Tragically, this bombing incident resulted in the deaths of sixty-six people, prompting significant public attention and mourning for the lost lives. Rescue operations began almost immediately, but the process was complicated by debris and the possibility of ongoing air raids. Efforts continued through the night and into the next day, demonstrating the resilience and bravery of the emergency workers involved in the recovery efforts.

As the London Blitz continued to take its toll on the population, the Balham disaster illustrated the dangers of using public infrastructure as shelters. It counted amongst the harrowing chapters of civilian experiences during the war years. In an attempt to protect civilians, emergency plans were debated and developed following this incident, leading to changes in how such shelters were managed in future bombing incidents. The tragedy at Balham became emblematic of the dangers faced during the ongoing German bombing campaign, and it served to unite communities in their shared grief and resolve to endure.