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

Samuel Saunders

Samuel Saunders

Employed at the Silvertown Brunner Mond works and killed in the 1917 Silvertown explosion. Imperial War Museum has a page. More information about Saunders on another IWM page.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Tata Duka

Tata Duka

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Michael Stanley Brewster

Michael Stanley Brewster

Michael Stanley Brewster was born on 22 March 1953 in Derby, Derbyshire, the son of William Stanley Brewster and Margaret Brewster née O'Neill. He married Sandra Wall (b.1957) and the marriage was ...

Person, Tragedy

2 memorials
John Bridgens

John Bridgens

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial

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Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, K.C.

Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, K.C.

Sixth son of King George III, created Duke of Sussex on 24 November 1801 but he had no legitimate issue so the title became extinct on his death. 1840 he gave Queen Victoria in marriage to Prince A...

Person, Royalty

5 memorials
William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

Born and died in Stratford-upon-Avon. His birth date is usually given as the 23rd, the same date as his death, but all that is actually known is that he was baptised 3 days later, on the 26th. Even...

Person, Poetry, Seriously Famous, Theatre

47 memorials
John Humffreys Parry

John Humffreys Parry

Born Flintshire, Wales.  Came to London in 1807 to train as a lawyer at the Temple.  Called to the bar in 1811.  But he was unsuccessful in this profession and turned to writing about Welsh history...

Person, History, Journalism / Publishing, Tragedy, Wales

1 memorial
Councillor George Hickling

Councillor George Hickling

Mayor of St Pancras 1905 - 6. Kentish Towner refers to "a coal merchants George Hickling & Co, then to be found on the corner of Regis Rd." in the late 1800s. Seems likely to be the same man.

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Joseph Grimaldi

Joseph Grimaldi

Pantomime clown appearing at Sadler's Wells, Drury Lane and Covent Garden theatres. The traditional clowns' make-up, being called Joey and many of the gags and tricks date back to Grimaldi. Born i...

Person, Humour, Seriously Famous, Theatre

7 memorials