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

Croydon tram derailment

Croydon tram derailment

The tram carrying 69 passengers, had left New Addington bound for Wimbledon. At 6.07 a.m. as it approached Sandilands station on a sharp bend, it overturned on its right side. Seven passengers were...

Event, Tragedy, Transport

2 memorials
Michael J. Stewart

Michael J. Stewart

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Michael James Stewart was born on 20 June 1959 in Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland, a son of William and ...

Person, Tragedy, USA

1 memorial
John Strickland

John Strickland

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Made Sujana

Made Sujana

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Geoff Campbell

Geoff Campbell

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Geoffrey Thomas Campbell was born on 16 December 1969 in Wroths Path, Loughton, Essex, the second child of...

Person, Tragedy, USA

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Alan Cuttie

Alan Cuttie

As head of Wandle Valley mapping project he erected the plaque in 2005 and then again, after the fire, in 2011.

Person, History

1 memorial
Evening Standard

Evening Standard

Founded as The Standard it was first printed at 5 New Bridge Street, Blackfriars. May 2024: Londonist reported: "Evening Standard To End Its Daily Newspaper ... the Standard's new-look weekly will...

Group, Journalism / Publishing

3 memorials
Great Storm of 1987

Great Storm of 1987

In the early hours of Friday 16 October 1987 a great storm struck South East England. In four violent hours London lost 250,000 trees. Its skyline changed for ever.  22 people were killed in Englan...

Event, Tragedy

11 memorials
World War 2

World War 2

Sorry, we've done no research on WW2, it's just too big a subject. But do visit the picture source web site - it has a fascinating collection of maps.  And we enjoyed these photos of current WW2 ev...

Event, Armed Forces, Tragedy

380 memorials
Florence Ball

Florence Ball

Victim of the Druid Street arch bomb, aged 63.

Person

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial