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

Bertie Wilson

Bertie Wilson

Senior Assistant 2nd Engineer on the RMS Titanic. A full résumé of his life can be found on the Encyclopedia Titanica website. He is also commemorated on the Engineers Memorial, Andrews East Park,...

Person, Engineering, Tragedy

1 memorial
Michael Minh Matsushita

Michael Minh Matsushita

Michael Minh Matsushita was born on 25 May 1968 in Vietnam, the son of a South Vietnamese soldier killed in the conflict when he was just five months old. At the age of three, he and his mother, Mu...

Person, Tragedy, USA, Vietnam

3 memorials
Alexandre Pigeard

Alexandre Pigeard

Killed in the 2017 London Bridge attack. Aged 27, he was working as a waiter at the Boro Bistro.

Person, Tragedy, France

1 memorial
Joshua Ives Iliffe

Joshua Ives Iliffe

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial

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Selfridges

Selfridges

Department store created by Harry Selfridge. The flagship store opened on 15 March 1909. In 1951 it was acquired by Lewis's and then in 1965 by the Sears Group. In 2003 the chain was acquired by Ga...

Group, Commerce

3 memorials