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

Daniel Arthur

Daniel Arthur

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
V1 Flying Bomb - Walthamstow

V1 Flying Bomb - Walthamstow

The bomb fell just before 10am when shopping was in full swing. Its approach was heard and people in the vicinity took what shelter they could. Some dived into shops and doorways, others into an ar...

Event, Tragedy

1 memorial
Paul William Cronin

Paul William Cronin

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Gerry Paul Francis

Gerry Paul Francis

Our colleague, Andrew Behan, has researched this young man: Gerry Paul Francis was born on 21 August 1963 in Lewisham, the son of George P. Francis and Rosilia Y. Francis née Titre. He died, aged 1...

Person, Tragedy

2 memorials
Asım Bezirci

Asım Bezirci

66 years old, researcher and writer

Person, Tragedy, Turkey

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Royal Northern Gardens gates

Royal Northern Gardens gates

N7, Manor Gardens, Royal Northern Gardens

An information board, just to the right of our photo, says: "Royal Northern Gardens occupies part of the old Royal Northern Hospital sit...

3 subjects commemorated
Sidney Eva

Sidney Eva

Sidney Eva was born on 10 February 1916 in Edmonton, Middlesex (now Greater London), the sixth of the ten children of Charles Alfred Eva (1879-1938) and Mary Ann Eva née Craswell (1880-1957). His b...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Victoria & Albert Museum

Victoria & Albert Museum

The South Kensington Museum opened on this site in 1857. It expanded and was renamed the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1899. A further expansion by Aston Webb opened in 1909. Also see Francis Fow...

Building, Museums / Libraries

4 memorials
Swedish Church

Swedish Church

There were enough Swedes in London (mainly sailors) for a congregation to form in 1710 and the first church was set up in Wapping in 1728 (pictured), opened by and named for (the future queen) Ulri...

Building, Religion, Sweden

2 memorials
Sir Nicholas Winton

Sir Nicholas Winton

Sir Nicholas George Winton MBE was a British banker and humanitarian who established an organisation to rescue children at risk from Nazi Germany. Born to German-Jewish parents who had emigrated to...

Person, Children, Peace

1 memorial