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

Sloane Court East V1 bomb

Sloane Court East V1 bomb

The V1 bomb arrived at 7.47 on a Monday morning, landing at the top end of Sloane Court East destroying many buildings and many lives. The extent of the physical damage can easily be seen by lookin...

Event, Tragedy

2 memorials
Jason Terrence Stokes

Jason Terrence Stokes

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

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
Timothy Blake

Timothy Blake

Photographer and victim of the Marchioness tragedy, aged 30.

Person, Photography, Tragedy

1 memorial
Lieutenant Charles Campbell Wood

Lieutenant Charles Campbell Wood

Hero. R.A.F (South African Artillery). On 27 December 1919 he dived into the Thames from the upstream footway of Hammersmith Bridge and saved a drowning woman. He contracted tetanus as a consequenc...

Person, Armed Forces, Tragedy, South Africa

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Courage brewery - Horselydown Lane

Courage brewery - Horselydown Lane

Founded by John Courage at the Anchor Brewhouse site.  The earliest existing building dates from 1871 and was largely rebuilt in 1894 - 1895. Reconstructed, restored and refurbished in 1985 - 1989....

Building, Commerce, Animals, Food & Drink

2 memorials
LEO - Lyons Electronic Office

LEO - Lyons Electronic Office

The world's first business computer was built and operated by J. Lyons & Co. The LEO website provides: In October 1947, the directors of J. Lyons & Company, a British catering company famo...

Concept, Commerce, Science

1 memorial
Edmund Payne

Edmund Payne

Actor, comedian and singer. Born in Hackney. He used his short stature and malleable features to create a popular comic persona. On stage he was often partnered by George Grossmith junior. See ther...

Person, Humour, Music / songs, Theatre

1 memorial