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

Joyce Wright

Joyce Wright

Killed in the Camberwell Green air-raid, aged 10.

Person, Tragedy

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial
Ronald Charles Wiggins

Ronald Charles Wiggins

The memorial does not give Wiggins a title (as it does for all the other names) and we are at a loss with "Southwark T/C".  But we think Wiggins was a firefighter who died as a result of a fire.

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy

1 memorial
John Northcott

John Northcott

A graduate working in the IT industry, killed in the Ladbroke Grove rail disaster, aged 24. Andrew Behan has kindly carried out further research: John Alan L. Northcott was born on 15 September 19...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Albert Edward Dack

Albert Edward Dack

Albert Edward Dack is the boy lying on his side on the front right in the photograph of the scout troop. Albert Edward Dack was born on 1 August 1899 in Walworth, the fourth of the ten children of...

Person, Children, Community / Clubs, Tragedy

2 memorials
Joseph Toynbee

Joseph Toynbee

Pioneer ear surgeon and father of economic historian Arnold Toynbee (1852-1883). Born Lincolnshire. From Museum of Wimbledon: "...settled in Wimbledon in 1854 and lived at Beech Holme along Parksid...

Person, Medicine, Philanthropy, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Canterbury Association

Canterbury Association

Formed to establish a colony in what is now the Canterbury region of New Zealand.

Group, Exploring, New Zealand

1 memorial
Rainbow Corner

Rainbow Corner

Club for the American forces in the UK during WW2. Also known as the American Red Cross Club. This is where those "oversexed, overpaid and over here" GIs hung out. From British History online: The...

Building, Armed Forces, Community / Clubs

1 memorial