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

Fireman Charles George Gadd

Fireman Charles George Gadd

Firefighter who died as a result of a fire at Langley Street, WC2. Gadd, Hawkins and Rawden died 11-23 May 1954. Our colleague, Andrew Behan, expands upon this. Charles George Gadd was born on 14 ...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy

1 memorial
Catherine Patricia Seelin

Catherine Patricia Seelin

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Cpl. John Robert McKnight

Cpl. John Robert McKnight

Died aged 30 years, killed by the IRA Regent's Park bomb.

Person, Armed Forces, Tragedy

1 memorial
Jonathan Downey

Jonathan Downey

Jonathan Downey was born on 15 March 1971 in Kettering, Northamptonshire, a son of Teresa B. Downey, née Peavoy (1937-2004). He married Veronica K. Jones in 1991 in Corby, Northamptonshire and elec...

Person, Tragedy

2 memorials
Michael Norton

Michael Norton

At the time of his death Norton was a landscape architect involved in the creation of Burgess Park, living at High Street, Hampton Hill, TW12, married, aged 20-30. See Geoffrey Mills for details. ...

Person, Gardens / Agriculture, Tragedy

1 memorial

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Frank Matcham

Frank Matcham

Theatre architect. Born Newton Abbot, Devon. Never qualified as an architect but designed at least 80 theatres and did some work on about the same number again. About 24 of his theatres survive rea...

Person, Architecture, Theatre

10 memorials
Royal Air Force

Royal Air Force

Formed 1st April 1918 at Hotel Cecil, 80 the Strand where it had its first headquarters. Motto: Per Ardua Ad Astra, Latin for "Through Struggles to the Stars".

Group, Armed Forces, Aviation

8 memorials
Great Forest of Essex

Great Forest of Essex

Since about 1000 various areas have been designated 'forest' meaning a royal hunting ground, not necessarily wooded. At different times, under different monarchs part or all of the County of Essex...

Place, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial
Henry King Lewis

Henry King Lewis

Founded H.K. Lewis & Co. Ltd. in 1844 at 136 Gower St. 24 Gower Place added 1907. Incorporated 1915. Found on the web: "H K Lewis & Co Ltd, booksellers. Founded by Henry King Lewis in 1844...

Person, Commerce, Museums / Libraries

1 memorial
Thomas Yorke

Thomas Yorke

Architect based in Highgate in 1926.

Person, Architecture

1 memorial