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

Janina Gehlau

Janina Gehlau

Janina Gehlau, from Dusseldorf, Germany, was studying for a Masters degree and completing her dissertation in London. Aged 26 she was killed by a left-turning lorry at Ludgate Circus. March 2016: ...

Person, Cyclist, Tragedy, Germany

1 memorial
Downhills air raid shelter attack

Downhills air raid shelter attack

The shelter which contained about 300 people, suffered a direct hit at about 10.30 pm on 19 September 1940. More than 100 people were injured in the attack. 42 people were killed:14 men, 24 women a...

Event, Tragedy

1 memorial
Philippine Marthe Anne Marie de Gérin-Ricard

Philippine Marthe Anne Marie de Gérin-Ricard

Philippine de Gérin-Ricard was born on 4 October 1992 in Nimes, Gard, France. She was the sixth of the seven children of her parents, Pierre Christian Marie de Gérin-Ricard (b.1954) and Anne Boudet...

Person, Cyclist, Tragedy, France

1 memorial

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Elsie Naisbett MBE

Elsie Naisbett MBE

Tenant activist.  Lived on the Studley Estate in Stockwell for 47 years, and helped a number of estates to transfer to being run by housing associations, along with investment from the Labour gover...

Person, Social Welfare

1 memorial
City of London Coal Exchange

City of London Coal Exchange

Designed by J. B. Bunning and opened in 1849 in Lower Thames Street, demolished in 1963. Our Picture source examines all the interesting buildings on this section of Lower Thames Street.

Building, Commerce

1 memorial
Richard Green

Richard Green

Ship-owner and philanthropist. Probably born in the family house in Blackwall Yard, Poplar, the son of shipbuilder George Green. After completing his studies, he entered the business which speciali...

Person, Engineering, Philanthropy, Transport

1 memorial
Queen Victoria visits The City

Queen Victoria visits The City

EC4, Victoria Embankment

Victoria died on 22 January 1901, less than a year after this last visit to the City.

4 subjects commemorated, 2 creators
Savoy Theatre

Savoy Theatre

The Savoy Theatre opened in 1881. Despite this date it is a delightful example of Art Deco, explained on the Savoy Theatre website as follows: The theatre closed on 3 June 1929 to be internally com...

Building, Theatre

3 memorials