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

Brian Cooper

Brian Cooper

Driver of the Great Western express train involved in the Ladbroke Grove rail disaster. Died aged 52. Andrew Behan has kindly carried out further research: Brian Cooper was born on 15 July 1947 in...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Ada Rosa van Dantzig

Ada Rosa van Dantzig

Dantzig was a Dutch Jew who came to London to study. She returned to the Netherlands intending to help her family flee the Nazis. Instead she was captured and killed in Auschwitz, Poland, with most...

Person, Tragedy, Netherlands, Poland

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial
Marlene Doris Whiteley

Marlene Doris Whiteley

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
James Daly

James Daly

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial

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W. S. Gilbert

W. S. Gilbert

Playwright, lyricist & poet. Born 17 Southampton Street as William Schwenck Gilbert. The Savoy Operas were written by Gilbert, with Sullivan providing the music and Richard D'Oyly Carte providi...

Person, Music / songs, Poetry, Seriously Famous, Theatre

7 memorials