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

Craig Jeffery Dunn

Craig Jeffery Dunn

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
fire at 423 Hackney Road 1902

fire at 423 Hackney Road 1902

The East London Advertiser, 22 December 2008, published an article on this tragedy where 7 lives were lost, which we summarise here. Alice Denman, 27, and her 6 children lived in the upper floors ...

Event, Tragedy

1 memorial
Solomon Tozer

Solomon Tozer

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Thomas Hartnell

Thomas Hartnell

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Grenfell fire

Grenfell fire

Just before 1am a fire broke out in the 24-storey Grenfell Tower block of flats. This social housing block was on the north-east edge of the largely wealthy W11 post code, just south of Silchester ...

Event, Tragedy

5 memorials