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

Adam James Meere

Adam James Meere

Died while fighting a fire with Bill Faust, see there for details. Born in north-west Surrey. Aged 27, Meere had only completed his basic training a few months before.

Person, Armed Forces, Tragedy

3 memorials
Gavin McMahon

Gavin McMahon

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Gavin McMahon was born on 25 March 1966 in County Durham, the son of Terence T. McMahon (b.1933) and Linda...

Person, Tragedy, USA

1 memorial
Jane Roberta Wynham Simpson

Jane Roberta Wynham Simpson

Jane Roberta Wynham Hollinger was born on 29 November 1951. She married Andrew K. Simpson in the 1st quarter of 1972 in the Islington Registration District, London. She was injured on 28 February ...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Sydenham air raid

Sydenham air raid

After losing too many Zeppelins, the Germans started using Gotha aircraft for bombing raids. Sydenham was one of the last raids of the war. The newly formed RAF put up considerable resistance, dest...

Event, Tragedy

1 memorial
John Slade

John Slade

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

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

King's Cross Cinema - rock concerts

King's Cross Cinema - rock concerts

WC1, King's Cross Bridge, Scala

Promoter Tony Defries hired King's Cross Cinema, now Scala, for July 14-15, 1972, to put on the successive London debuts of Lou Reed and ...

4 subjects commemorated
John Major - Battersea Town Hall

John Major - Battersea Town Hall

SW11, Lavender Hill, Battersea Arts Centre

This building was the Battersea Town Hall 1893 - 1965, and became the Battersea Arts Centre in 1974. Suffered a bad fire in 2015. The Pl...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Princess Alexandra, Lady Ogilvy

Princess Alexandra, Lady Ogilvy

Granddaughter of King George V and daughter of George, Duke of Kent. Born Alexandra Helen Elizabeth Olga Christabel at 3 Belgrave Square. Seems to specialise in infrastructure plaques - she must ha...

Person, Royalty

4 memorials
Irena Sedlecka

Irena Sedlecka

Born Czechoslovakia. Married the sculptor Franta Belsky in 1996.

Person, Sculpture, Czechoslovakia

1 memorial