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

James Wardlow

James Wardlow

Construction worker killed in the fatal accident at Crystal Palace.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Eric Benfield, FRSA

Eric Benfield, FRSA

Eric Benfield was born on 9 June 1902 in Swanage, Dorset, the third of the four children of Charles Benfield (1866-1936) and Adelaide Benfield née Smith (1868-1943). His birth was registered in the...

Person, Literature, Peace, Sculpture, Tragedy

1 memorial
Fm. Daniel Michael O'Donovan

Fm. Daniel Michael O'Donovan

Attending a ‘Person Shut in Lift’ at Moelwyn Hughes Court, he fell from the flat roof while making his way to the lift motor room. Aged 25. O'Donovan was brought up in Harrow and was an avid sport...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy

1 memorial
Graham Berkeley

Graham Berkeley

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Graham Andrew Berkeley was born on 12 January 1964 in Nottinghamshire. He had moved to the United States ...

Person, Tragedy, USA

1 memorial
James Bannister

James Bannister

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

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Firewoman Yvonne Green

Firewoman Yvonne Green

SW3, Old Church Street, Roper’s Garden

On a plaque inside the church porch Yvonne Green is commemorated with the other, non-AFS, fire-watchers who died the same night. This bom...

Civilian war dead | WW2
3 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
W. W. Pattinson

W. W. Pattinson

Resident of Hendon who served and died in WW2.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW2
1 memorial
Lord Kitchener

Lord Kitchener

Field-Marshal Earl Kitchener of Khartoum, K.G. Born near Ballylongford, County Kerry, Ireland. Became a national hero leading the British army in the Sudan. Continued his career in the Boer War, In...

Person, Armed Forces, Seriously Famous, Africa, Egypt, India, Ireland, Scotland

4 memorials
Robert Hanbury

Robert Hanbury

Nephew to Sampson Hanbury (1769-1835) from a family of Quaker merchants, bankers and brewers.  Sampson had taken on the brewery in Brick Lane which had been there since the 17th century. Robert joi...

Person, Philanthropy

1 memorial
Claud Hamilton's brothers, son, grandson and nephews

Claud Hamilton's brothers, son, grandson and nephews

Claud Hamilton's issue: Son: Gilbert Claud Hamilton (1879-1943), married twice but no issue. Daughter: Ida Hamilton (1883-1970), had one son, CH's grandson. CH had 6 brothers. We've underlined the...

Group, Friend / family

2 memorials