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

Yvonne Ruddock

Yvonne Ruddock

Our colleague, Andrew Behan, has researched this young woman: Yvonne Lyn Ruddock was born on 17 January 1965 and died, aged 16 years, on 24 January 1981 as a result of injuries sustained in a fire ...

Person, Tragedy

2 memorials
Maria Nieves Larracoechea

Maria Nieves Larracoechea

Maria Nieves Larracoechea was born on 3 March 1949 in Bilbao, Spain. Both our Picture Source and the Clipper Crew website gives more information about her including that she was known as 'Nieves' ...

Person, Aviation, Tragedy, Scotland, Spain

1 memorial
Fm. Hamish Pettit

Fm. Hamish Pettit

Firefighter. He was killed when part of the roof collapsed while he was fighting a fire at the Worsley Hotel, Clifton Gardens, Paddington. He was 25 years old. From The Red Plaque website: "On the...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy

2 memorials
Mehmet Atay

Mehmet Atay

25 years old, journalist

Person, Tragedy, Turkey

1 memorial

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A. Parkhouse
War dead, WW2
1 memorial