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

Katherine Wolf

Katherine Wolf

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Katherine Susan James was born on 15 June 1961 in Swansea, Glamorgan, Wales, the younger child of Howard R...

Person, Tragedy, USA, Wales

1 memorial
David George Wilson

David George Wilson

Very little can be found about this man who was killed in the Moorgate tube disaster on 28 February 1975. When his death was registered, as David Wilson, in the 2nd quarter of 1975 in the London Ci...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Stanley Ross

Stanley Ross

Killed in the Camberwell Green air-raid, aged 14.

Person, Tragedy

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial
Terry Hunt

Terry Hunt

Terence James Hunt was born on 12 December 1957 and lived in Chadwell Heath, Essex. He was a firefighter attached to Silvertown fire station who died, aged 33 years, on 10 July 1991 while fighting...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy

3 memorials
Sam Di Lieto

Sam Di Lieto

Killed in the Ladbroke Grove rail disaster, aged 24. Andrew Behan has kindly carried out further research: Sam Di Lieto was born on 26 April 1975, the son of Martin C. Di Lieto and Linda A. Di Lie...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial