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

Boyd Alan Gatton

Boyd Alan Gatton

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Boyd Alan Gatton was born on 8 October 1962 in Paget, Bermuda and was educated at Saltus Grammar School in...

Person, Tragedy, Bermuda, USA

1 memorial
Philip Geddes

Philip Geddes

Journalist, 24. From Geddes Trust (previously geddesprize.co.uk): The awards are named after Philip Geddes, a member of St Edmund Hall {Oxford University} and a journalist of considerable promise. ...

Person, Journalism / Publishing, Tragedy

1 memorial
Julie Stevenson

Julie Stevenson

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Lawrence S. Newcombe S.R.N.

Lawrence S. Newcombe S.R.N.

Lawrence was a nurse at the Royal Free Hospital in London. He loved creating art, music and gardens. As he exited the station that night, his companion reported that he returned toward the smoke to...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Thomas Watson

Thomas Watson

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Richard Church

Richard Church

Poet and writer. Born Richard Thomas Church in Battersea. He worked as a civil servant, before taking up writing full-time in 1933. His poems include 'Solstices', 'A House in Winter' and 'The Man W...

Person, Journalism / Publishing, Poetry

1 memorial
Sidney Godley - Loughton

Sidney Godley - Loughton

IG10, Torrington Drive, 164

Pte Sidney Godley, 1889 - 1957, awarded the first V. C. of the great war 23 August 1914, lived here. Loughton Town Council 2000

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Sir John Cass

Sir John Cass

Tory politician, slave trader and philanthropist. Date of birth unknown so we use his date of baptism, which took place at St Botolph, Aldgate. 1705 became a director of the Royal African Company w...

Person, Philanthropy, Politics & Administration, Race Issues

2 memorials
John Williams

John Williams

"Martyred" missionary. Born Tottenham. Trained as a foundry worker and mechanic. In 1817 the London Missionary Society sent him and his wife to the Pacific Islands where they took the good word to ...

Person, Race Issues, Religion, Tragedy, Pacific Islands

1 memorial