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

Philip Lawrence

Philip Lawrence

Teacher.  Born Ireland.  1993 appointed headteacher of St George's School.  Stabbed to death when he tried to help a pupil who was being attacked by a gang.  The 15-year-old killer, Learco Chindamo...

Person, Education, Tragedy, Ireland

1 memorial
Tyburn tree

Tyburn tree

The first recorded execution here was the hanging of the champion of London's poor, William Fitz Osbern in 1196. Back then there may have been a real tree but in 1571 the 'Tyburn Tree' was erected....

Place, Execution, Law, Tragedy

5 memorials
Cyril Richard (Rick) Rescorla

Cyril Richard (Rick) Rescorla

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Colonel Cyril Richard Rescorla was born on 27 May 1939 in Halye, Cornwall. He was a son of Stephen Douglas...

Person, Armed Forces, Emergency Services, Tragedy, Africa, Cyprus, USA, Vietnam

1 memorial
Tom Holmes

Tom Holmes

British, killed by the Bali bomb, age 39.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Fireman James Anthony Bardens

Fireman James Anthony Bardens

James Anthony Bardens was born circa 1938. He married Jean Iris Frost in the 1st quarter of 1958 in the Lewisham Registration District, London. He was serving as a Fireman in the London Fire Briga...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy

1 memorial