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.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

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...

Read More

Balham Station bombing - 1

In memory of the 64 people killed at this station by a wartime bomb 14th Octo...

Read More

Balham Station bombing - 2

{Beneath the London Transport logo:} In remembrance of the civilians and Lond...

Read More

Balham Station bombing - 3

In remembrance of the civilians and London Transport staff who were killed at...

Read More

Bank Station WW2 bomb

{Above the London Underground roundel:} In remembrance of the fifty six peopl...

Read More

Show all 53

Other Subjects

Lewisham train disaster

Lewisham train disaster

The colision actually happened at St John's station, one stop to the north-west) which is close to Lewisham. It was a very foggy night and an electric train was being held at a red signal. It was s...

Event, Tragedy

1 memorial
Michele Latour

Michele Latour

Our colleague Andrew Behan: reports a marriage between Michele Latour and a Patrick P. Folan in the first quarter of 1978 in Islington. Guardian, 1 July 1999: Workmen found a body at the site of t...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Baltic Exchange bomb

Baltic Exchange bomb

The IRA bomb at 30 St Mary Axe, the Baltic Exchange building, went off at 9.20 pm.  The Baltic Exchange was built in 1903 by Smith and Wimble in a very ornate style. It dealt in imported cereals, o...

Event, Tragedy

1 memorial
Stanley Boggis

Stanley Boggis

Stanley Ernest Clyde Boggis was born on 27 August 1921. His birth was registered in the Holborn registration district. He was the son of Clyde Percy Boggis (1890-1980) and May Helen Boggis née Sher...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Jamie Wellington

Jamie Wellington

British, killed by the Bali bomb, age 31.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial