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

Hasmukh C. Parmar

Hasmukh C. Parmar

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Hasmukh Chuckulal Parmar was born on 3 January 1953 in Nairobi, Kenya. He was married to his wife, Bharti...

Person, Tragedy, Kenya, USA

1 memorial
Alan Stewart

Alan Stewart

An accountant from Auckland, killed in the Ladbroke Grove rail disaster, aged 28. Andrew Behan has kindly carried out further research: Allan John Stewart was born in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotlan...

Person, Tragedy, New Zealand

1 memorial
Elizabeth Anne Daplyn

Elizabeth Anne Daplyn

Elizabeth Anne Daplyn was born on 14 October 1978, a daughter of Michael G. Daplyn and Pamela F. Daplyn née Tate. Her birth was registered in the Leicester Central registration district. She lived...

Person, Tragedy

3 memorials
Alfred Samuel Allsop

Alfred Samuel Allsop

2nd Electrician on the RMS Titanic. A résumé of his life can be found on the Encyclopedia-titanica website that incorrectly claims (in April 2022) that he was aged 36 years when he died. His birth...

Person, Engineering, Tragedy

1 memorial

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Chelsea Embankment

Chelsea Embankment

Designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette. Apart from providing a pleasant riverside walk, it was built with the dual purpose of providing a flood barrier and as a covering for the main low level sewer for...

Place, Architecture

2 memorials
Metropolitan Police

Metropolitan Police

Founded in 1829 by Robert Peel under the Metropolitan Police Act 1829 and on 26 September of that year, over 1,000 men were sworn in in the grounds of the Foundling Hospital. (From Sarah Wise's boo...

Group, Emergency Services

13 memorials
Stratford Works

Stratford Works

The locomotive building works of the Great Eastern Railway.The original shops were built by the railway 'King', George Hudson. In addition to the engineering facilities, Hudson provided accommodati...

Building, Engineering, Transport

1 memorial
St Margaret's Church

St Margaret's Church

The church was in existence from at least the early 12th century. At the reformation, it was sold and part of it became the Borough Compter courthouse and prison. The original building was destroye...

Building, Religion

1 memorial