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

New Cross V2 attack

New Cross V2 attack

The rocket landed on the Woolworth's building at 12.44pm It was a sunny Saturday and many people were out shopping. There were rumours that Woolworth's were selling saucepans (which were in short s...

Event, Tragedy

4 memorials
Andrea Angel, Edward Medal

Andrea Angel, Edward Medal

Employed at the Silvertown Brunner Mond works and killed in the 1917 Silvertown explosion. The Imperial War Museum has a page with many entries. There is also a page for his wife. In 1904 he marri...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Linda Webster

Linda Webster

Barrister and victim of the Marchioness tragedy, aged 27.

Person, Law, Tragedy

1 memorial
Mary Teresa O'Brien

Mary Teresa O'Brien

Little is known about Mary Teresa O'Brien. Having been killed in the Moorgate tube disaster, her death was registered in the 2nd quarter of 1975 in the London City Registration District but unfort...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Druid Street arch WW2 bomb

Druid Street arch WW2 bomb

Railway arches were used as air raid shelters in WW2, as they were relatively secure. In the case of Druid Street however, they couldn't survive a direct hit. Depending on source, the number of dea...

Event, Tragedy

2 memorials

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George Dance the younger

George Dance the younger

Architect. Son of the architect George Dance the Elder, one of the 4 original members of the Royal Academy, he designed Newgate Prison and St Luke's Hospital. John Soane was his pupil. We have see...

Person, Architecture, Art

4 memorials
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

20 memorials
Newham Council

Newham Council

West Ham was merged with parts of Barking and Woolwich to form the London Borough of Newham in 1965.

Group, Politics & Administration

11 memorials
Sir Sydney H. Waterlow

Sir Sydney H. Waterlow

Philanthropist. Born in Crown Street, now Sun Street, EC2. Brought up in Mile End. Followed his father and brothers into the stationery and printing business. 1963 founded, and chaired, the philan...

Person, Lord Mayor, Philanthropy, Politics & Administration

5 memorials