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

Chloe Blanche Byron

Chloe Blanche Byron

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Andrew Gooding

Andrew Gooding

Our colleague, Andrew Behan, has researched this young man: Andrew Gooding was born on 18 February 1966 and died, aged 14 years, on 18 January 1981 in a fire at party being held at 439 New Cross Ro...

Person, Tragedy

2 memorials
victims of Human BSE (vCJD)

victims of Human BSE (vCJD)

According to the list on JusticeforAndy there have been about 160 victims in the UK, "people who have died, been diagnosed or affected by vCJD." The disease is too complex for us to attempt to summ...

Group, Tragedy

1 memorial
First V2 attack - Chiswick

First V2 attack - Chiswick

The first V2, which landed on the quiet suburb of Chiswick, killed three people and injured 22. 

Event, Tragedy

1 memorial
Ada Van Dantzig

Ada Van Dantzig

Dantzig was a Dutch Jew who came to London to study. She returned to the Netherlands intending to help her family flee the Nazis. Instead she was captured and killed in Auschwitz, with most of her ...

Person, Tragedy, Germany, Netherlands

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial

Previously viewed

Margaret Jane McGoldrick

Margaret Jane McGoldrick

Drowned in the 1898 HMS Albion disaster, aged 38. Buried in grave 5 at the memorial in East London Cemetery.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Bunny Wailer / Bunny Livingston

Bunny Wailer / Bunny Livingston

Singer, songwriter and percussionist. Born as Neville O'Riley Livingston in Jamaica. Also known as Bunny Livingston or Jah B. He and Bob Marley were friends from boyhood, and they, along with Peter...

Person, Music / songs, Caribbean Islands

1 memorial
Mercers' Company

Mercers' Company

Records go back to 1348. From the Guild‘s website: "In its widest sense mercery could describe all merchandise, although in London the term evolved to mean the trade specifically in luxury fabrics,...

Group, Commerce, Liveries & Guilds

4 memorials
Sir Francis Bacon

Sir Francis Bacon

Born York House near Strand. Died in Highgate at Arundel House, the home of his friend, Thomas Howard, Lord Arundel. The site is now occupied by St. Michael's Church, South Grove. Travelling toward...

Person, Philosophy

12 memorials
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