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

Joseph William Onslow

Joseph William Onslow

For more information about this hero click on the picture of his plaque.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Philip Stuart Russell

Philip Stuart Russell

Philip Stuart Russell was born on 11 July 1976 in Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, the son of Grahame Russell and Veronica Russell née Jones. He was an asset manager for J P Morgan. His obituary ca...

Person, Tragedy

3 memorials
Ian Webster
1 memorial
James Berkeley Hardman

James Berkeley Hardman

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

William Brindley

William Brindley

Sculptor and carver. Born Derbyshire. Worked with William Farmer. Died Hampshire. Information from Mapping Sculpture.

Person, Sculpture

1 memorial
Countrywomen of the soldiers that fought with Wellington

Countrywomen of the soldiers that fought with Wellington

This patriotic committee of women, led by Lady Lavinia Spencer, ordered the Achilles statue unadorned.  It was the men that insisted on the covering.

Group, Benefactor

1 memorial
John Landy

John Landy

Athlete. Born John Michael Landy in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Forty-six days after Roger Bannister ran the first sub-four minute mile, he broke the record again. He is probably best remembere...

Person, Politics & Administration, Sport / Games, Australia

1 memorial
Westminster Hall - King George V & Queen Mary

Westminster Hall - King George V & Queen Mary

SW1, St Margaret Street, Westminster Hall

These 11 plaques are laid into the floor of the hall, in a line down the middle, in this sequence, starting at the entrance end: R101; Ha...

2 subjects commemorated
All Hallows, Gospel Oak, War Memorial

All Hallows, Gospel Oak, War Memorial

NW3, Savernake Road, Parish Church of All Hallows

This text is on the north-west face of the stone base to the cross. There was text on at least one other side of the stone but the weath...

1 subject commemorated