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.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

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...

Read More

Balham Station bombing - 1

In memory of the 64 people killed at this station by a wartime bomb 14th Octo...

Read More

Balham Station bombing - 2

{Beneath the London Transport logo:} In remembrance of the civilians and Lond...

Read More

Balham Station bombing - 3

In remembrance of the civilians and London Transport staff who were killed at...

Read More

Bank Station WW2 bomb

{Above the London Underground roundel:} In remembrance of the fifty six peopl...

Read More

Show all 53

Other Subjects

Steve Collins

Steve Collins

Our colleague, Andrew Behan, has researched this young man: Steve Constantine Collins was born on 2 May 1963 in Hackney and died, aged 17 years, on 18 January 1981 in a fire at party being held at ...

Person, Tragedy

2 memorials
Sidney Joseph Benstead

Sidney Joseph Benstead

Employed at the Silvertown Brunner Mond works and killed in the 1917 Silvertown explosion.  Imperial War Museum has a page. Also, "There appears to be a connection between Walter Mauger and anothe...

Person, Tragedy, Channel Islands

1 memorial
cyclist Danny

cyclist Danny

London bicycle messenger, killed in a traffic collision in Praed Street.

Person, Cyclist, Tragedy

1 memorial
Henry Peglar

Henry Peglar

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
James Thompson

James Thompson

Role on the lost expedition: Officer on SS Terror. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial