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

Gerard Martin Traynor

Gerard Martin Traynor

Gerard Martin Traynor was born on 9 November 1959, a younger son of John Francis Traynor (1923-1965) and Marian Veronica Traynor née Nesbitt (1926-2016). His birth was registered in the 4th quarter...

Person, Politics & Administration, Tragedy

1 memorial
Brian Knights

Brian Knights

At Building we learn: "Brian Knights, a steel erector employed by William Hare, was helping to build an extension to the Imperial War Museum." "... steel erection company William Hare was fined £75...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Francis Ernest George Coy

Francis Ernest George Coy

Junior Assistant 3rd Engineer on the RMS Titanic. A résumé of his life can be found on the Encyclopedia Titanica website. He is also remembered on a stone in Plot 24 of the Kensico Cemetery, 273 L...

Person, Engineering, Tragedy

1 memorial
Renae Marie Anderson

Renae Marie Anderson

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Shyanuja Niroshini Parathasangary

Shyanuja Niroshini Parathasangary

Shyanuja Niroshini Parathasangary was born on 30 August 1974 in Colombo, Sri Lanka and came to the UK as a one-year-old child with her family. Her obituary can be found on the BBC News website. S...

Person, Tragedy, Sri Lanka

3 memorials