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

Training ship Arethusa

Training ship Arethusa

Training ships were run by the Marine Society, and catered for boys from a wide range of backgrounds; from fee-paying prospective Merchant Navy officers, through those in Poor Law or other institut...

Vehicle, Children, Tragedy, Transport, Crimea

2 memorials
Beatrice Bishop

Beatrice Bishop

Drowned in the 1898 HMS Albion disaster, aged 24. Buried in grave 4 at the memorial in East London Cemetery.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Federica Baldassa

Federica Baldassa

Killed by a Greggs delivery vehicle at about 21.20 on a Friday evening, aged 26.  The lorry was turning left into Bloomsbury Square (some yards west of the site of the ghost bike). Came here fro...

Person, Cyclist, Tragedy, Italy

1 memorial
Elizabeth Coghlam

Elizabeth Coghlam

For more information about this hero click on the picture of her plaque.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Serpil Canik

Serpil Canik

19 years old, artist

Person, Tragedy, Turkey

1 memorial