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

Elizabeth N. Byers

Elizabeth N. Byers

Elizabeth Norma Byers was born on 17 May 1951, the daughter of Philip G. Byers (1924-2018) and Norma Margaret Byers née Priddle (b.1926) and her birth was registered in the Hendon registration dist...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Derek Ogilvie Sword

Derek Ogilvie Sword

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Derek Ogilvie Sword was born on 30 November 1971 in Dundee, Scotland As a teenager, he played tennis for ...

Person, Tragedy, Scotland, USA

1 memorial
G. A. Macbean

G. A. Macbean

Role on the lost expedition: Officer on SS Terror. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Paul Gary Bristow

Paul Gary Bristow

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Paul Gary Bristow was born on 15 January 1974 and his birth was registered in the first quarter of 1974 in...

Person, Tragedy, USA

1 memorial
A. Rutter

A. Rutter

For more information about this hero click on the picture of the pumping works plaque.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial

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Christabel Pankhurst

Christabel Pankhurst

Suffragette. Born Manchester, daughter of Emmeline, her eldest child and her favourite. Moved to America in 1939 and died in California.

Person, Gender Issues, Politics & Administration, USA

6 memorials
New River

New River

The so-called New River is actually an aqueduct built 1609 - 1613 from near Ware, Hertfordshire, to Islington to bring fresh water from country springs to the City. It required a 1602 charter from ...

Place, Engineering, Food & Drink

8 memorials
Myddelton House

Myddelton House

This site was previously occupied by an Elizabethan red-brick building known as Bowling Green House. In 1613 Hugh Myddelton, constructed the New River, the course of which bisected the land around ...

Building, Property

1 memorial
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

Organisation responsible for the collection, conservation, and interpretation of Pennsylvania's historic heritage.

Group, History, USA

1 memorial
Royal Free Hospital

Royal Free Hospital

Founded by William Marsden as the London General Institution for the Gratuitous Cure of Malignant Diseases on 17th April 1828 in a rented 4-storey house at 16 Greville Street, Hatton Garden. Septem...

Group, Medicine

6 memorials