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

William Whiteley

William Whiteley

Entrepreneur and founder of Whiteley's department store on Queensway, now Whiteleys shopping centre. A bequest from his will formed Whiteley Village. Born in Yorkshire and, 1848, apprenticed to a ...

Person, Commerce, Tragedy

3 memorials
David Alan James Rathkey

David Alan James Rathkey

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. David Alan James Rathkey was born on 28 April 1954 in Eton, Buckinghamshire (now Berkshire) a son of Colin...

Person, Tragedy, Channel Islands, USA, Wales

1 memorial
James Fraser

James Fraser

Junior Assistant 3rd Engineer on the RMS Titanic. A full résumé of his life can be found on the Encyclopedia Titanica website.  He is also commemorated on the Engineers Memorial, Andrews East Park...

Person, Engineering, Tragedy, Scotland

1 memorial
William Reed

William Reed

Role on the lost expedition: Royal marine on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Francis Golding

Francis Golding

Architectural expert:  honorary fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), head of the Royal Fine Art Commission during the late 1990s and had worked on major projects such as the ...

Person, Architecture, Cyclist, Tragedy

1 memorial