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

Claudia Dietlinde Theile

Claudia Dietlinde Theile

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Nicholas John

Nicholas John

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Nicholas John was born on 2 July 1959 in Swansea, Wales. He was a son of Glyn and Enfys John and was educa...

Person, Tragedy, Australia, USA, Wales

1 memorial
John Williams

John Williams

"Martyred" missionary. Born Tottenham. Trained as a foundry worker and mechanic. In 1817 the London Missionary Society sent him and his wife to the Pacific Islands where they took the good word to ...

Person, Race Issues, Religion, Tragedy, Pacific Islands

1 memorial

Previously viewed

St Pancras Basin

St Pancras Basin

Formerly known as the Midland Railway Basin (though we could find nothing under thatn name). Opened as a coal wharf.  1958 converted to a pleasure craft area.  Now home to the St Pancras Cruising C...

Place, Commerce, Transport

1 memorial
Highbury Manor

Highbury Manor

It was built for the Lord of the Priory of St John of Jerusalem. The site may have been used by the Romans as a summer camp. It was destroyed by the mob led by Jack Straw during the Peasants' Revol...

Building, Property

1 memorial
Royal Society of Arts

Royal Society of Arts

Founded by William Shipley as the "Society of Arts" in Rawthmell's Coffee House. They carried on meeting in coffee houses and taverns but as the society grew they needed more space. Shipley rented ...

Group, Art, Commerce

18 memorials