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

Howard Selwyn

Howard Selwyn

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Howard Selwyn was born on 2 August 1954 in Leeds, Yorkshire, the eldest of the four children of Leslie Sel...

Person, Tragedy, USA

1 memorial
Battle of Britain

Battle of Britain

As part of WW2 the Germans set out to gain supremacy over the RAF in the British skies. This, the Battle of Britain, was the first time that a major campaign took place in the air. The Luftwaffe at...

Event, Aviation, Tragedy

5 memorials
Timothy Gilbert

Timothy Gilbert

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Brother of Andrew Gilbert who also died in the attack. Timothy Paul Gilbert was born in 1966. He was marr...

Person, Tragedy, USA

1 memorial
Frank Masters

Frank Masters

Naval cadet from the training ship Arethusa, aged 14. Drowned in the tragedy at Leysdown. He was assisting the scouts at the time.

Person, Children, Community / Clubs, Tragedy

2 memorials
all those injured and affected by the Docklands bomb

all those injured and affected by the Docklands bomb

Two were killed and 39 people were injured by the Canary Wharf IRA bomb.

Group, Tragedy

1 memorial

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Corporation of the City of London

Corporation of the City of London

The municipal governing body of the City of London. Officially the 'Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London'. In 2006 the name was changed from just 'Corporation of London' to disti...

Group, Commerce, Politics & Administration

184 memorials
G. J. Grace

G. J. Grace

Churchwarden of St Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey in 1883.

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Giovanni Beduglio
War dead, WW1
1 memorial