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

June T. Abeyratne

June T. Abeyratne

June T. Dobedoe was born on 18 February 1956, the second of the three children of Roland Ivor Dobedoe (1927-2001) and Margaret Mary Dobedoe née Buckley (1926-2004). Her birth was registered in in t...

Person, Tragedy, Sri Lanka

1 memorial
Thomas Becket

Thomas Becket

Chancellor, Archbishop and Martyr. Born Cheapside of French parents. son of Gilbert Becket, mercer. Archbishop of Canterbury, 1162 to his death. Assassinated after his erstwhile friend, Henry II, d...

Person, Politics & Administration, Religion, Tragedy

2 memorials
Michele Beale

Michele Beale

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Born as Michele Duberry on 27 June 1964, her birth was registered in the Romford, Essex, registration dist...

Person, Tragedy, USA

1 memorial
Robert Hubert

Robert Hubert

A watchmaker from Rouen, France, who was executed following his false confession of starting the Great Fire of London. There were many obvious flaws and impossibilities in Hubert's confession. He h...

Person, Tragedy, France

1 memorial
Robert Golding

Robert Golding

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Ray Green

Ray Green

First Chairman and Trustee of the Jubilee Market Traders Committee.

Person, Commerce, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Guy's Hospital

Guy's Hospital

Founded by Thomas Guy in concept in 1721 but it was not until 6 January 1725 that the first sixty patients were admitted.  Aim 25 have a good summary of the history.  Guy's and St Thomas' are consi...

Place, Medicine

13 memorials
London Rowing Club

London Rowing Club

Founded in 1856, for the purpose of winning medals at The Henley Royal Regatta, and is regarded as one of the most exclusive and successful rowing clubs in Britain.

Group, Sport / Games

1 memorial
Flight Lieutenant Coburn Clark King

Flight Lieutenant Coburn Clark King

Coburn Clark King was born on 28 April 1908 in Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, USA the youngest of the six children of Alonzo Wilmer King (1850-1930) and his second wife Julia Ellen King née Thuma (...

Person, Armed Forces, USA

War dead, WW2
1 memorial
Harold Frank Ricketts

Harold Frank Ricketts

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

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial