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

Samuel Lowdell

Samuel Lowdell

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

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Charles Coombs

Charles Coombs

Role on the lost expedition: Able seaman on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Crash of the R101 airship

Crash of the R101 airship

In the 1920s the British government was hoping airships would provide a means of transport to the far-flung Empire. Two vehicles were being trialled: the R100 and the R101. On its first overseas fl...

Event, Tragedy

1 memorial
Douglas Warner

Douglas Warner

British, killed by the Bali bomb, age 35.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Frank Bethell

Frank Bethell

Worked for the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society. Was Architect and Surveyor for the the Bostall Estate construction 1900.

Person, Commerce, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Princess Seraphine Astafieva

Princess Seraphine Astafieva

Ballerina. Danced for Diaghilev, and opened a ballet school in 1916 in London. The title of ‘Princess’ may be spurious. In the picture the Princess is on the right. Alicia Markova is the dancer on ...

Person, Dance, Russia

1 memorial
Northumberland House - Charing Cross

Northumberland House - Charing Cross

Sited just to the east of Charing Cross and Nelson's column, where Northumberland Avenue and Waterstones now (2024) are, the picture source, Wikipedia, has a very useful map, but there we also read...

Building, Property

1 memorial
Fanny de Moses Arrobus

Fanny de Moses Arrobus

This person's grave was destroyed by a WW2 bomb. The name is on the south-east face of the pedestal.

Person

1 memorial
London Stock Exchange

London Stock Exchange

1698 At Jonathan’s Coffee House  John Castaing published a list of currency, stock and commodity prices  It included prices for gold, ducats, silver staters and pieces of eight. 1773 A more formal...

Group, Commerce

1 memorial