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

Croydon tram derailment

Croydon tram derailment

The tram carrying 69 passengers, had left New Addington bound for Wimbledon. At 6.07 a.m. as it approached Sandilands station on a sharp bend, it overturned on its right side. Seven passengers were...

Event, Tragedy, Transport

2 memorials
Irja Syhnove Skabo

Irja Syhnove Skabo

Irja Syhnove Skabo was born on 3 July 1950 in Oslo, Norway. Our Picture Source and the Clipper Crew website give more information about her including that her employment commenced with Pan America...

Person, Aviation, Tragedy, Norway, Scotland

1 memorial
L. W. G. Wilson

L. W. G. Wilson

Station Officer -  One of two men (with Frederick Mitchell) who gave their lives at Soho Fire Station on 7th October 1940. London Fire Journal gives his name as William Wilson. See Mitchell for som...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial
Cheistha Kochhar

Cheistha Kochhar

Born in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India, Cheistha Kochhar was a PhD student at the London School of Economics. She had already worked in a range of roles including business start-ups and with variou...

Person, Cyclist, Tragedy, India

1 memorial
Jonathan Shepherd

Jonathan Shepherd

Junior 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