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

Maximilian Kolbe

Maximilian Kolbe

Saint in the Roman Catholic Church. Franciscan killed by the Nazis in 1941.

Person, Religion, Tragedy

1 memorial
Gülender Akça

Gülender Akça

25 years old, artist

Person, Tragedy, Turkey

1 memorial
Fireman 3rd Class Herbert White

Fireman 3rd Class Herbert White

Died in a fire at Lots Road SW. Our colleague, Andrew Behan, was able to find very little about this man apart from the fact that when his death was registered in the 4th quarter of 1904 in the Ke...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy

1 memorial
Christ Church Spitalfields - fire

Christ Church Spitalfields - fire

British History On-line puts the blame squarely on the "negligence of the steeple-keeper". There you can see the exact cost of the repairs to each element destroyed by the fire and the name of the ...

Event, Tragedy

1 memorial
Sam Di Lieto

Sam Di Lieto

Killed in the Ladbroke Grove rail disaster, aged 24. Andrew Behan has kindly carried out further research: Sam Di Lieto was born on 26 April 1975, the son of Martin C. Di Lieto and Linda A. Di Lie...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

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
River Lea Watermills

River Lea Watermills

The picture source website is a report on the Archaeology in the Lea Valley prepared in advance of the 2012 Olympics.

Building, Industry

1 memorial
Tea industry - the City

Tea industry - the City

EC4, High Timber Street, Sir John Lyon House, 8

From London Tea History: "The 3rd plaque, sponsored by Tata Consumer Products, has been erected at Sir John Lyon House in London EC4V 3PA...

4 subjects commemorated, 2 creators
Gerard Manley Hopkins - SW15

Gerard Manley Hopkins - SW15

SW15, Holybourne Avenue, Parkstead House, Roehampton University

The 'SJ' after his name means he was a Jesuit, a member of the Society of Jesus. 

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator