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

Lise Tanghus Knudsen

Lise Tanghus Knudsen

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Anthony Beeton

Anthony Beeton

A civil servant with the Northern Ireland office who had helped draft the Good Friday Agreement. He created the new human rights and equality commission in the province. Killed in the Ladbroke Grov...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Jane A. Fairey B.A. (Hons)

Jane A. Fairey B.A. (Hons)

B.A. (Hons) is a university degree. Jane Alison Fairey was born on 6 January 1960 in Luton, Bedfordshire. She was the eldest of the three children of Peter J. Fairey and Ann Fairey née Dixon. Her s...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Fiona Grey

Fiona Grey

An IT Consultant from Alexandria, Dumbarton, killed in the Ladbroke Grove rail disaster, aged 33. Andrew Behan has kindly carried out further research: Fiona Janet T. Grey was born on 14 August 19...

Person, Tragedy, Scotland

1 memorial

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A. W. Hofmann

A. W. Hofmann

August Wilhelm von Hofmann was born on 8 April 1818 in Giessen, Grand Duchy of Hesse, now known as Germany. Our picture source and his Wikipedia page give a full biography of his life. In 1854 Ho...

Person, Science, Germany

2 memorials
Blackshirts
2 memorials
John Gordon Crawford

John Gordon Crawford

A wealthy, early member of the Burns Club of London (founded 1868). Undiscovered Dundee by Brian King informs: "... retired Glasgow merchant, who had lived in London for many years, had met the cos...

Person, Benefactor, Commerce

1 memorial
Black History Walks

Black History Walks

Black History Walks offer guided Walking Tours London to include the African history of London.

Group, History, Race Issues, Tourism / Traditions

6 memorials
Burtons Menswear

Burtons Menswear

Clothing manufacturer and retailer. Montague Burton (1885 - 1952) was raised as Meshe David Osinsky,and emigrated from what is now Lithuania to England in 1900. He set up a business making and sell...

Group, Commerce

11 memorials