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

Ronald Gilligan

Ronald Gilligan

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Ronald Lawrence Gilligan was born on 15 May 1958 in Sefton General Hospital, Smithdown Road, Liverpool, La...

Person, Tragedy, USA

1 memorial
Upper North Street school WW1 bomb

Upper North Street school WW1 bomb

This bomb was one of those dropped during the first daylight bombing attack on London by a fixed-wing aircraft. Prior to this the bombs had been dropped from Zeppelins. Just before noon the bomb br...

Event, Children, Tragedy

5 memorials
Imawan Sarjono

Imawan Sarjono

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
John Bate

John Bate

Role on the lost expedition: Able seaman on SS Terror. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Lance Corporal Mills

Lance Corporal Mills

Royal Engineer killed by an exploding bomb while assisting in the attempt to disarm it. Andrew Behan has kindly carried out some research on this man: Lance Corporal Douglas Mills was born about 1...

Person, Armed Forces, Tragedy

War dead, WW2
1 memorial