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

John Jefferies

John Jefferies

One of two killed by the Docklands IRA bomb. They were both workers in the newsagent’s directly opposite the bomb. Our colleague Andrew Behan has researched this man and found the photo: John Alan...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Esther John

Esther John

Presbyterian evangelist from Pakistan, was allegedly killed by a Muslim fanatic.

Person, Religion, Tragedy, Pakistan

1 memorial
Robert Sinclair

Robert Sinclair

Role on the lost expedition: Petty officer on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Megan Eileen Heffernan

Megan Eileen Heffernan

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Stephen A. Parsons

Stephen A. Parsons

Stephen Alan Parsons was born on the 11 February 1952 the eldest child of Alan Goldsworth Parsons (1925-1980) and Jean Margaret Parsons née Huxstep (1932-2002). His birth was registered in the Hatf...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Festival of Britain

Festival of Britain

'A tonic for the Nation', The Festival was intended to cheer us all up after WW2, and incidentally to celebrate the centenary of the 1851 Great Exhibition. The symbol for the Festival was designed ...

Event, Art, Cinema, Science, Tourism / Traditions

20 memorials
S. Bewsey

S. Bewsey

R.A.S.C.. Fought but did not die in WW1. Andrew Behan has kindly provided this research: First he writes "The memorial shows S. Bewsey having been a member of the R.A.S.C. (i.e. the Royal Army Ser...

Person, Armed Forces

War served, WW1
1 memorial
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

The borough was formed in 1965 by the merging of the separate former boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea. It was originally planned to call it just Kensington, but Chelsea was added after local prot...

Group, Politics & Administration

31 memorials
Josiah Wedgwood

Josiah Wedgwood

Master potter. Born in Burslem, Stoke, Staffordshire, into a potters family. Married his cousin, Sally. Childhood smallpox left him with a limp. His inability to operate the potters wheel meant he ...

Person, Craft / Design, Industry, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Seriously Famous

4 memorials
Bridge House Estates

Bridge House Estates

Established to maintain London Bridge. Named after Bridge House, the original administrative and maintenance centre located where St Olaf House now is. Originally funded by tolls from London Bridge...

Group, Politics & Administration, Property

13 memorials