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

Nicole Maree Harrison

Nicole Maree Harrison

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Jodi Leigh Wallace

Jodi Leigh Wallace

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Houndsditch murders

Houndsditch murders

The story is well told at Times of Malta. The cutting equipment used in the robbery was supplied by Errico Malatesta.

Event, Armed Forces, Tragedy

1 memorial
Simon James Turner

Simon James Turner

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Simon James Turner was born on 17 July 1962. He joined the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery and upon le...

Person, Armed Forces, Tragedy, USA

1 memorial

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Great Storm of 1987

Great Storm of 1987

In the early hours of Friday 16 October 1987 a great storm struck South East England. In four violent hours London lost 250,000 trees. Its skyline changed for ever.  22 people were killed in Englan...

Event, Tragedy

11 memorials
William Holman Hunt

William Holman Hunt

Painter and co-founder of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. His intended middle name was ‘Hobman’ (his mother’s maiden name) which he disliked. Discovering that it had been misspelled as ‘Holman’ at ...

Person, Art

3 memorials