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

Macclesfield Bridge explosion

Macclesfield Bridge explosion

From London Gardens Trust: "The bridge over the Regent's Canal to the north west of the Park was originally called North Gate Bridge but was re named in honour of Lord Macclesfield, the Chairman of...

Event, Tragedy, Transport

1 memorial
Shahara Akhter Islam

Shahara Akhter Islam

Worked as a bank teller at the Co-op Bank, The Angel, Islington. The Tavistock Square memorial does not use 'Akhter' in her name. Shahara Akhter Islam was born in 1985 in Whitechapel, the daughter...

Person, Tragedy

3 memorials
James Braidwood

James Braidwood

Firefighter. Born Edinburgh where he formed the world's first municipal fire brigade. In 1832 he became the first Superintendent of the London Fire Engine Establishment, the precursor to the London...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy, Scotland

2 memorials
Mary Rogers

Mary Rogers

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

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Christian Njoya Diawara Small

Christian Njoya Diawara Small

Christian Dean Charles Small was born on 10 February 1977, the elder child of Charles Small and Sheila Small née Henry whose birth was registered in the Islington registration district. His younger...

Person, Tragedy

3 memorials

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William Lee

William Lee

Parishioner of St James Upper Edmonton killed in WW1.

Person

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
William Hales
War dead, WW1
1 memorial
Margaret Mary Damer Dawson

Margaret Mary Damer Dawson

Born Sussex. Founder of the Women’s Police Force, in WW1. Organizing Secretary of the animal campaigning organisation the Animal Defence and Anti-Vivisection Society. This opposed vivisection, camp...

Person, Armed Forces, Animals

2 memorials
Thomas Reynold Roberts

Thomas Reynold Roberts

Lived in Islington. See his brother, Sir John Reynolds Roberts.

Person, Friend / family

1 memorial
Canadian Firefighters

Canadian Firefighters

The idea of the fire fighters volunteering to assist Britain was developed between the British government and the then Canadian Prime Minister, Mackenzie King. The Canadian fire fighters museum web...

Group, Armed Forces, Canada

1 memorial