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

Prince of Wales pub, Mackenzie Road

Prince of Wales pub, Mackenzie Road

144 Mackenzie Road. This photo dates from the 1930s. Destroyed by a WW2 V2 rocket.

Building, Community / Clubs, Food & Drink, Tragedy

1 memorial
Neil Bowler

Neil Bowler

British, killed by the Bali bomb, age 27.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Thomas Watson

Thomas Watson

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King

One of the world's most famous civil rights activists, born Michael King Jr. A Baptist minister, he visited London in December 1964 on his way to Oslo to collect his Nobel Peace Prize. He stayed at...

Person, Race Issues, Religion, Seriously Famous, Tragedy, USA

4 memorials
Terry Hunt

Terry Hunt

Terence James Hunt was born on 12 December 1957 and lived in Chadwell Heath, Essex. He was a firefighter attached to Silvertown fire station who died, aged 33 years, on 10 July 1991 while fighting...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy

3 memorials