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

Lewisham train disaster

Lewisham train disaster

The colision actually happened at St John's station, one stop to the north-west) which is close to Lewisham. It was a very foggy night and an electric train was being held at a red signal. It was s...

Event, Tragedy

1 memorial
Elisabeth Nicole Marie Charlotte Clement-Avoyne

Elisabeth Nicole Marie Charlotte Clement-Avoyne

Elisabeth Nicole Marie Charlotte Avoyne was born on 25 May 1944 in Notre-Dame-d'Estrées, Calvados, Normandy, France. Known as 'Babette', our Picture Source informs that she had joined Pan American...

Person, Aviation, Tragedy, France, Scotland

1 memorial
John Cranmer Cambridge

John Cranmer Cambridge

For more information about this hero click on the picture of his plaque.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Bdsm. Laurence Keith Smith

Bdsm. Laurence Keith Smith

Born in Ealing. Died aged 19 years, killed by the IRA Regent's Park bomb.

Person, Armed Forces, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

St James's

St James's

In the 1660s Henry Jermyn was given the right by Charles II to develop an area carved out of the royal parks. One of the few areas in London that is clearly defined geographically, it is bounded by...

Place, Property

1 memorial
Auxiliary Firewoman Joan Fanny Mary Bliss Bartlett

Auxiliary Firewoman Joan Fanny Mary Bliss Bartlett

Firewoman with the Auxiliary Fire Service. Killed during an air-raid at Cubitt Town School which was being used as an emergency depot. She was aged 18. Joan Fanny Mary Bliss Bartlett was born on 2...

Person, Emergency Services

War dead non-military, WW2
2 memorials
Shandy Park / East London Cemetery

Shandy Park / East London Cemetery

Shandy Park is a green space a few blocks due south of this site. It was opened in 1837 as the East London Cemetery with its own chapel, by local landowner, John Thomas Barber Beaumont. Beaumont ar...

Place, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial