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

William Mark

William Mark

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Philip Logan

Philip Logan

Philip Paul Logan was the eldest of the three children of John W. Logan and Joan M. Logan née Guthrie. His birth was registered in the 1st quarter of 1964 in the Croydon registration district. His ...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Elizabeth Stride

Elizabeth Stride

Elizabeth "Long Liz" Stride is believed to have been the third victim of the unidentified serial killer known as Jack the Ripper. Born Elizabeth Gustafsdotter near Gothenburg in Sweden. She was on...

Person, Tragedy, Sweden

1 memorial
Cyril Richard (Rick) Rescorla

Cyril Richard (Rick) Rescorla

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Colonel Cyril Richard Rescorla was born on 27 May 1939 in Halye, Cornwall. He was a son of Stephen Douglas...

Person, Armed Forces, Emergency Services, Tragedy, Africa, Cyprus, USA, Vietnam

1 memorial
Reginald James Adams

Reginald James Adams

Demolition worker, employed by A & R Metal Company, died in the Dudgeon's Wharf explosion. Reginald James Adams was born on 3 May 1940. He married Kathleen Joyce Stebbings (1935-1991) in the 4...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Black Prince Road ceramics - plaque 01

Black Prince Road ceramics - plaque 01

SE11, Black Prince Road, Tunnel underneath railway bridge

These lovely ceramics plaques were installed some time in or before 2008. There are 12 oval ceramics of which 7 nos 1-7) are mosaic and r...

1 subject commemorated
World War 1

World War 1

We'd always assumed that this war was known as the Great War until WW2 came along at which point it was renamed as World War One or the First World War. But the term was first used in print in 1920...

Event, Armed Forces, Tragedy

403 memorials