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

Mydiddee

Mydiddee

He was the servant of a Tahitian chief, and it is believed that he was brought to England by Captain Bligh (6 years after the ill-fated Bounty assignment) to act as a cultural ambassador. Already i...

Person, Race Issues, Tragedy, Tahiti

1 memorial
WPC Jane Arbuthnot

WPC Jane Arbuthnot

Andrew Behan has researched this woman: Woman Police Constable Philippa Jane Arbuthnot was born on 8 October 1961, the youngest of the four children of Lieutenant Commander John Keith Arbuthnot O.B...

Person, Armed Forces, Tragedy

1 memorial
Ralph Humberstone

Ralph Humberstone

Ralph Humberstone, originally from Horncastle, Lincolnshire, died, aged about 50 years, on 18 November 1987 in the King's Cross Underground Station fire. His body was identified by a publican from...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Jennifer Ann Murphy

Jennifer Ann Murphy

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
London Bridge head spikes

London Bridge head spikes

Traitors’ heads used to be displayed on spikes on London Bridge, at the Stone Gateway on the south bank.  This merry London ritual began in about 1300 and continued until about 1660.  The lofty hea...

Place, Tragedy

1 memorial