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

John Downing

John Downing

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Lionel Erisey

Lionel Erisey

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Moira Gemmill

Moira Gemmill

Gemmill was killed by a tipper truck while cycling to work at 9.30am on a Thursday. 55 years old, a designer, she had led the recent acclaimed re-design and refurbishment of the V&A.  She had a...

Person, Cyclist, Tragedy

1 memorial
Edibe Sulari

Edibe Sulari

40 years old, artist

Person, Tragedy, Turkey

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Armenian Church - Armenian plaque

Armenian Church - Armenian plaque

W8, Iverna Gardens, St Sarkis Armenian Church

This plaque is written in classical Armenian and that's all we can tell you about it. We'd guess that it says the same as the English pla...

River Tyburn

River Tyburn

Covered over in 1750 but still running, underground from Hampstead to Westminster.  One of its sources is at Shepherd's Well.  Diamond Geezer has tracked the entire course. LondonMyLondon shows it,...

Place, Gardens / Agriculture

4 memorials
Tower Hamlets Council

Tower Hamlets Council

The name was originally applied to the Tower division of the county of Middlesex. This division was a liberty, i.e. it was an autonomous area under the jurisdiction of the Constable of the Tower of...

Group, Politics & Administration

54 memorials
Francis Owen Salisbury

Francis Owen Salisbury

Painter. Born in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. Known as Frank, his forte was in portraiture and he also painted over forty large canvases of historical and national events. He also produced a large qua...

Person, Art, Craft / Design

2 memorials
John Drinkwater

John Drinkwater

Poet and playwright. Born Leytonstone.

Person, Poetry, Theatre

1 memorial