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

Thomas Faryner and his shop

Thomas Faryner and his shop

Born 1615-6, Thomas Faryner (or Farriner) joined the Baker's Company in 1637, and by 1649 had his own bakery/shop/home on Pudding Lane. It seems that someone failed properly to extinguish a fire in...

Building, Food & Drink, Tragedy

3 memorials
Sadako Sasaki

Sadako Sasaki

Sadako Sasaki was a Japanese girl who was one of the c.100,000 people killed by the atom bomb dropped on  Hiroshima. She was two years of age at the time and was severely irradiated. She survived f...

Person, Tragedy, Japan

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial
William Lambert

William Lambert

Employed at the Silvertown Brunner Mond works and killed in the 1917 Silvertown explosion.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Thomas Millar

Thomas Millar

Deck Engineer on the RMS Titanic. A full résumé of his life can be found on the Encyclopedia Titanica website. He is also commemorated on the Engineers Memorial, Andrews East Park, Above Bar Stree...

Person, Engineering, Tragedy, Ireland

1 memorial

Previously viewed

St Marylebone Almshouses

St Marylebone Almshouses

Funded from Count Woronzow's will.  Built in 1836 and then re-built on the same site in 1965.  Occupy the west corner at the junction of St John’s Wood Terrace and Woronzow Road.  Lots more info at...

Building, Property, Social Welfare

1 memorial
Lord Nelson - New Bond Street 103

Lord Nelson - New Bond Street 103

W1, New Bond Street, 103

Horatio, Lord Nelson, 1758 - 1805, lived here in 1798. London County Council 

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Councillor Judith Pattison
1 memorial