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

Chiman Mahanlal Shah

Chiman Mahanlal Shah

There is some confusion about the spelling of this man's name. We know that he was killed on his 36th birthday in the Moorgate tube disaster. His death was registered as Chiman Mahanlal Shah in th...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
John Cowie

John Cowie

Role on the lost expedition: Petty officer on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Richard Muzira

Richard Muzira

A grandfather in his 60s, killed at about noon on a Monday, run down by a tipper truck. From the Standard: Richard Muzira was “a writer who endured years of torture as a political prisoner in Zimb...

Person, Cyclist, Tragedy

1 memorial
Columbia Market attack

Columbia Market attack

On the first day of the Blitz it seems that a 50kg bomb fell through a ventilation shaft and exploded in the basement of the market which had been designated an air-raid shelter for the local peopl...

Event, Tragedy

1 memorial