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

Sait Metin

Sait Metin

23 years old, artist

Person, Tragedy, Turkey

1 memorial
Samuel Brown

Samuel Brown

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Yvonne Ruddock

Yvonne Ruddock

Our colleague, Andrew Behan, has researched this young woman: Yvonne Lyn Ruddock was born on 17 January 1965 and died, aged 16 years, on 24 January 1981 as a result of injuries sustained in a fire ...

Person, Tragedy

2 memorials
David Peter Redfearn

David Peter Redfearn

David Peter Redfearn was born on 19 November 1949 the eldest of the four children of Frank Peter Redfearn (1927-2014) and Mary J. Redfearn née Cable (1922-2021). His birth was registered in the 4th...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

The Sun

The Sun

Launched to replace the Daily Herald. First printed at Bouverie Streeet, south of Fleet Street. The Sun's website refused to let us have a picture of their logo so we went elsewhere for it. Whic...

Media, Journalism / Publishing

2 memorials
Emma Cons

Emma Cons

Social reformer and theatre manager. Born London. Knew and was influenced by Octavia Hill, John Ruskin and Henrietta Barnett. Her involvement in the temperance movement led to her taking on the lea...

Person, Gender Issues, Politics & Administration, Social Welfare, Theatre

3 memorials
Memorial to the Women of World War II

Memorial to the Women of World War II

A York-based group of volunteers set up to raise funds for the memorial in Whitehall.

Group, Benefactor, History

1 memorial
Harry Percy Shepherd

Harry Percy Shepherd

Late Chairman of the Police Committee of the Corporation of London in 1926. Wikipedia lists him as a Sheriff of the City of London in that same year which, together with the "late", rather suggests...

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Frédéric Chopin

Frédéric Chopin

Composer. Born Zelazowa Wola, Poland of a French emigrant father and Polish mother. Left Poland aged 20, never to return. Despite his long romantic liaison with novelist George Sand (Aurore Dudevan...

Person, Music / songs, Seriously Famous, France, Poland

3 memorials