''The Blackout Ripper'' (Gordon Cummings)

By Crusader1307

 We've all heard of the infamous Serial Killer ''Jack The Ripper'' who terrorized London in the late 19th Century. And while with the end of His reign of terror, ''We'' would like to think that ''His'' Legend ended, it may have been made immortal and even duplicated by those ''disturbed'' enough to ''wear the mantle'' of the name ''Ripper''. One such, was Gordon Cummings. A ''Modern Monster'' who terrorized a Wartime London from 1941 to 1942, He earned His ''nickname'' ''The Blackout Ripper'' from those terrible times, when German Forces unmercifully bombed The City during that period of World War II known as ''The Blitz''. It was common (even required) – to place thick black curtains over all windows to minimize any form of light. This ''light'' even the most smallest, could be used by German Bomb crews to ''fine tune'' their attacks. Hence the term,, ''Blackout''.

Cummings came from a moderately stable Family, but always seemed to think He was destined to be ''something more''. A poor Student, He actively sought to ''fit in'' with all Groups – failing mostly at accomplishing this. When older, Cummings frequented another old ''hangout'' of the previously mentioned ''Ripper'' of the 19th Century – namely The West End. Cummings developed the ''talent'' to lie and told wild stories of being ''related'' to money and Title. He soon became known for His ''socializing'' with Prostitutes and other ''dark figures''. At any rate, His ''Night time'' antics would cost Him His Job as Foreman in a Leather Factory. But this would lead Cummings into joining The Royal Air Force in 1935. But Cummings past habit of lying and ''dreams of grandiose'' followed Him. Most of His fellow Airmen disliked Cummings, whom they all called ''The Count'' – for His ''airish ways''.

Oddly, Cummings was able to do one thing rather correctly. This was Flying. He wished to be accepted into Pilot Training and was able to secure 1,000-hours of pre-flight training – which earned Him entranced into Pilot School in 1942. What was the ''tipping point'' in Cummings psyche may be debated. But starting in 1942, Cummings began to date only those women who were ''casual'' Prostitutes and only those who specialized in Servicemen. It is thought, He murdered 4 women, but some assign Him to 6 (even as many as 10). Cummings also made good use of His past trade working in a Leather Factory. As such, He was quite ''skilled'' with Tanning Knives and other sharp implements.

Cummings most often had sexual relations with His Victims, before He killed them. He ''liked'' using various type of cutting tools to hack and slice His ''subjects'' to a grisly end (although He was also known to strangle them first as well). In many cases, Cummings took advantage of German Bombing attacks against London and it's suburbs. The first reason, was that few if any would be be out in the streets (to include Police) and the second and most effecting, Cummings felt that bomb hits which caused damage and fires, would also ''erase all evidence''. But this was seldom the case, as the mutilated bodies would be found (here and there), British Journalism seized upon the ''sensationalism'' of Cummings and further ''fans the fires'' of Wartime fear by dubbing Him ''The Blackout Ripper''.

But it was a simple ''slip up'' that caused Cummings to be caught in the end (unlike His infamous namesake). Cumming's left His Gas Mask accidentally at a murder scene. The marked item quite literally ''led Police straight to Him''. Tried in a very ''high profile'' News Story, Cummings never admitted to being ''The Ripper''. But evidence (later even witnesses), all put Cummings as The Killer. He was convicted of (4) Murders only (but linked to as many as (6) more. He was sentenced to Death by Hanging, which was accomplished in June of 1942. Oddly, during the execution – a German Bombing attack began. This did not stop the procedure. Cummings ''hung'' for roughly 5-minutes as a result of Executioners seeking protection from the attack. Cummings also had the dubious title of being the only Civil Prisoner to be executed during World War II. Still, some state that Cummings may have had an ''Associate'' which was never brought to justice. Others, that Cummings was NOT the real Murder at all. Perhaps The ''Blackout Ripper'' was never even caught.....Doe One ''see'' a previous ''pattern'', which quite by accident – puts Him squarely as a ''direct descendant'' of the infamous ''Saucy Jack'' of 1888.