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

Lee J. Hatley

Lee J. Hatley

Stabbed to death at a flat in Canonbury. Lived in Morland Mews for 25 years. Good friends with another local young knife victim,  J. J. McPhillips. Both attended nearby Highbury Grove school and sp...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Thomas Armitage

Thomas Armitage

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Mary Wilson

Mary Wilson

Drowned in the 1898 HMS Albion disaster, aged 63. Buried in grave 1 at the memorial in East London Cemetery.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Fireman Colin Comber

Fireman Colin Comber

Called to attend a fire in a restaurant in the King’s Road, Chelsea, he entered the building in breathing apparatus, along with his colleague Fireman Peter Brian O'Connell Hutchins, to locate the s...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy

2 memorials

Previously viewed

Leighton Fund

Leighton Fund

Originated as the bequest left by Lord Leighton in 1896. Bob Speel provides some useful information about what the fund has bought. The newspaper article quoted at Sloane Square fountain contains:...

Group, Art, Benefactor

3 memorials
Cheyne House

Cheyne House

The house and garden can be seen on a number of old maps, such as 1865 OS. From British History online (written in 1913): "Cheyne House consists of two or three different blocks of buildings, none...

Building, Property

1 memorial
Ba Jin

Ba Jin

Author and political activist. Born China as Li Yaotang.  Ba Jin was his pen name.  Learnt and advocated Esperanto. Spent 1927-8 in France. Returned to Shanghai. From 1983 suffered with Parkinson's...

Person, Politics & Administration, China/Hong Kong

1 memorial