Event    From 7/9/1940  To /5/1941

The Blitz

Categories: Tragedy

During WW2 Britain came under heavy bombing from Germany for 8 months, 1940-1941. This was called 'the Blitz' from the German word Blitzkrieg meaning 'lightning war'. London was particularly badly hit, especially at the start, being attacked every day/night of the first 57 days, except one. The objectives were the destruction of industrial targets, and to break the morale of the civilian population. But the Blitz failed, on both fronts, leaving London with extensive physical damage but a new psychological weapon, the Blitz spirit.

This interactive map shows all of the bombs dropped on London during the Blitz.

2019: Spitalfields Life posted a number of central London buildings that bear the scars of war.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
The Blitz

Commemorated ati

Abbey Road Depot - WW2 ARP members lost

Bill Wallis is described on the plaque as 'ARP Stretcher Bearer'. Which we ta...

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Balham Station bombing - 1

In memory of the 64 people killed at this station by a wartime bomb 14th Octo...

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Balham Station bombing - 2

{Beneath the London Transport logo:} In remembrance of the civilians and Lond...

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Balham Station bombing - 3

In remembrance of the civilians and London Transport staff who were killed at...

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Bank Station WW2 bomb

{Above the London Underground roundel:} In remembrance of the fifty six peopl...

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Show all 49

Other Subjects

Great Storm of 1987

Great Storm of 1987

In the early hours of Friday 16 October 1987 a great storm struck South East England. In four violent hours London lost 250,000 trees. Its skyline changed for ever.  22 people were killed in Englan...

Event, Tragedy

11 memorials
Mary O'Brien

Mary O'Brien

Killed in the Moorgate tube disaster.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Esther John

Esther John

Presbyterian evangelist from Pakistan, was allegedly killed by a Muslim fanatic.

Person, Religion, Tragedy, Pakistan

1 memorial
Catholic martyrs at the Tyburn gallows

Catholic martyrs at the Tyburn gallows

105 Catholic martyrs lost their lives at the Tyburn gallows, 1535 - 1681.  The Tyburn Convent website explains but only lists a few.  We have found other memorials to a few of them: John Houghton a...

Group, Religion, Tragedy

3 memorials
Dr. Khawar Tauheed

Dr. Khawar Tauheed

A microbiologist, killed in the Ladbroke Grove rail disaster, aged 44.  Andrew Behan has kindly carried out further research: Dr Khawar Tauheed was born on 9 November 1954 in Pakistan and moved to...

Person, Tragedy, Pakistan

1 memorial