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

Arding and Hobbs 1909 fire

Arding and Hobbs 1909 fire

Built in 1885 Arding and Hobbs department store was the largest south of the River. See Neighbour for a photo of the building. It was destroyed by a fire on 20 December 1909.  Newspapers from the ...

Event, Tragedy

1 memorial
Ola Bratlie

Ola Bratlie

A telecommunications engineer from Gavdik in Norway. Killed in the Ladbroke Grove rail disaster, aged 26. Andrew Behan has kindly carried out further research: Ola Bratlie was born in Norway on 6 ...

Person, Tragedy, Norway

1 memorial
Adrian Johnson

Adrian Johnson

Adrian Johnson was born 9 May 1968, his birth being registered in the Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, registration district. He grew up in Skegby, Nottinghamshire and was married with two children. He ...

Person, Tragedy

3 memorials
Jemina Durning Smith

Jemina Durning Smith

The following information primarily comes from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, also see the Durning Library: Born the eldest daughter of John Benjamin Smith (merchant and politician) ...

Person, Philanthropy, Tragedy

1 memorial
Jason Terrence Stokes

Jason Terrence Stokes

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial