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

Henry Lloyd

Henry Lloyd

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Michael McCarthy

Michael McCarthy

Nicknamed 'fox' because of his ginger hair. He was aged 19. The Islington Gazette reported "... McCarthy was attacked in revenge for abducting and torturing {a drug dealer}...".  6 weeks after that...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Elke Etha Kuhne

Elke Etha Kuhne

Elke Etha Kuhne was born on 17 March 1945 in Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany, the daughter of Dr Lothar Kuhne and Ruther Kuhne. Both our Picture Source and the Clipper Crew website gives more infor...

Person, Aviation, Tragedy, Germany, Scotland

1 memorial
Cynthia Jarrett

Cynthia Jarrett

Mother of Floyd Jarrett, who had been arrested and charged by the police for theft and assault. Although he had been released, the police later decided to search his mother's home. Mrs Jarrett coll...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Craig Hayden

Craig Hayden

Via Facebook we have learnt that Craig came from Coventry and as an older teenager and Care Leaver, was living homeless in London around the time of 1990. We thank his mother, Margaret Henderson an...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Benson Sedgwick Engineering Ltd

Benson Sedgwick Engineering Ltd

From their website: Manufacturers and suppliers of various products and services including Sculpture fabrication for the UK's leading artists.

Group, Sculpture

1 memorial
County Borough of West Ham

County Borough of West Ham

Former outer London borough. It included Plaistow, West Ham, Stratford, Canning Town, Silvertown and the current Borough of Newham west of Green Street. It was amalgamated with other areas to form ...

Place, Politics & Administration

3 memorials
Horace G. Legg

Horace G. Legg

Worked at the Stock Exchange and died in WW1.

Person

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
William de Morgan

William de Morgan

Potter, tile designer and novelist. Born 69 Gower Street as William Frend de Morgan, to the mathematician Augustus de Morgan. Lifelong friend of William Morris, he designed tiles, stained glass an...

Person, Craft / Design, Literature

23 memorials
Tower Hamlets Community Housing Ltd

Tower Hamlets Community Housing Ltd

THCH is a charitable housing provider managing over 3,000 homes exclusively in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Established in 2000 as part of a Government programme to transfer housing from lo...

Group, Social Welfare

19 memorials