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.

The Library Time Machine has a lovely post about the Home front volunteers in Chelsea, 1940s.

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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 53

Other Subjects

G. A. Macbean

G. A. Macbean

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Shyanuja Niroshini Parathasangary

Shyanuja Niroshini Parathasangary

Shyanuja Niroshini Parathasangary was born on 30 August 1974 in Colombo, Sri Lanka and came to the UK as a one-year-old child with her family. Her obituary can be found on the BBC News website. S...

Person, Tragedy, Sri Lanka

3 memorials
Ciaran Vincent Cassidy

Ciaran Vincent Cassidy

Ciaran Vincent Cassidy was born on 27 October 1982 in Whittington Hospital, Magdala Ave, London N19 5NF, the younger son of Seán Cassidy and Veronica Cassidy née Farry. His elder sister, Lisa Carol...

Person, Tragedy

3 memorials
Serkan Doğan

Serkan Doğan

19 years old, artist

Person, Tragedy, Turkey

1 memorial

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Maurice Wilkins

Maurice Wilkins

Molecular biologist. Born New Zealand. Worked on DNA X-ray diffraction studies 1953 at King's College London with Franklin, Gosling, Stokes and Wilson.  1962 awarded a Nobel Prize with Crick and Wa...

Person, Science, New Zealand

2 memorials
Jamaican High Commission

Jamaican High Commission

Located at 1 - 2 Prince Consort Road, SW7.

Group, Politics & Administration, Caribbean Islands

1 memorial
Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Charles Rennie Mackintosh

SW3, Glebe Place, 43a, 2 Hans Studios

Mackintosh Architecture refers to a number of local projects which Mackintosh was involved with at this time. The 'Mystery House' one did...

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Aldermanbury water conduit

Aldermanbury water conduit

Erected under the will of Sir W. Eastfield.  Destroyed in the Great Fire but rebuilt.  Finally removed in the 18th century. 2023: A London Inheritance has a very informative post, with photos of t...

Building, Food & Drink

1 memorial
London Fire Brigade - Highgate Cemetery

London Fire Brigade - Highgate Cemetery

N6, Swain's Lane, Highgate Cemetery

The 104 names on the marble plaques are of men who either lost their lives, or gave distinguished service to the London Fire Brigade, and...

105 subjects commemorated