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

Thomas McConvey

Thomas McConvey

Role on the lost expedition: Able seaman on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
James Bruce

James Bruce

Employed at the Silvertown Brunner Mond works and killed in the 1917 Silvertown explosion. Imperial War Museum has a page.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Robert Golding

Robert Golding

Role on the lost expedition: Boy on SS Terror. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
New Cross Fire

New Cross Fire

A fire at a teenagers' birthday party caused the death of 14 young people, 13 at the fire. The 14th victim was Anthony Berbeck, who escaped the fire, but became mentally disturbed and died after fa...

Event, Tragedy

4 memorials
Battersea Arts Centre fire

Battersea Arts Centre fire

Built as Battersea Town Hall this building became became a community arts centre in 1974.   Wikipedia has a plan of the ground floor showing the Grand Hall at the rear of the building. This, and t...

Event, Tragedy

1 memorial

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Jose de San Martin

Jose de San Martin

Soldier and statesman. Born in present-day Argentina. An officer in the Spanish army but then a major player in the battle for independence from Spain for Argentina in 1812 and Chile in 1818. He fo...

Person, Nationalism, Politics & Administration, Argentina, Chile, France, Peru

3 memorials
Great Storm - Holland Park

Great Storm - Holland Park

W8, Holland Park

28th November 1987 The Worshipful The Mayor, Councillor Mrs Elizabeth Russell, planted the first replacement tree, a Ginkgo Biloba (Maide...

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Metropolitan Borough of Paddington

Metropolitan Borough of Paddington

An ancient parish in the county of Middlesex, governed by an administrative vestry. The parish was included in the area of responsibility of the Metropolitan Board of Works in 1855 and became part ...

Group, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
George Elliott

George Elliott

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

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
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