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

Dean T. Cottle

Dean T. Cottle

Dean Tonie Cottle was born on 9 May 1980. He was the younger son of Toni E. Cottle and Susheila Nirmala Cottle née Singh and his birth was registered in the Waltham Forest registration district. H...

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
Burns' Day Storm

Burns' Day Storm

Because this storm hit during the day-time it caused more human casualties than the Great Storm of 1987. Then the death toll was 22, compared with 47 on Burns' Day. Under other names (e.g. Daria) t...

Event, Tragedy

2 memorials
Baltic Exchange bomb

Baltic Exchange bomb

The IRA bomb at 30 St Mary Axe, the Baltic Exchange building, went off at 9.20 pm.  The Baltic Exchange was built in 1903 by Smith and Wimble in a very ornate style. It dealt in imported cereals, o...

Event, Tragedy

1 memorial

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Harold Ainsworth Peto

Harold Ainsworth Peto

Born in Suffolk, son of Sir Samuel.

Person, Architecture, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial
Boghouse

Boghouse

Successive communal privies always known as the Boghouse.

Building, Other

1 memorial
Dan Harris

Dan Harris

Aged 28, returning from work to his home in Wanstead, hit by an Olympic media bus (ferrying journalists to the Olympic site).  Died at the scene. Dan was a keen cyclist, having biked across Thailan...

Person, Cyclist, Tragedy

1 memorial
Henry Holland

Henry Holland

Architect. Born Church Row, Fulham, to an architect father, also Henry. Laid out sections of Knightsbridge and Chelsea, including Sloane Square. Also built the original Brighton Pavilion, although ...

Person, Architecture

1 memorial
Mangrove Restaurant

Mangrove Restaurant

At 8 All Saints Road, Notting Hill.  Created and owned for 24 years by Crichlow.  It was a centre for political and social activism within the African and Caribbean culture.  Visitors included: Jim...

Place, Commerce, Community / Clubs, Food & Drink, Race Issues

1 memorial