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.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

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...

Read More

Balham Station bombing - 1

In memory of the 64 people killed at this station by a wartime bomb 14th Octo...

Read More

Balham Station bombing - 2

{Beneath the London Transport logo:} In remembrance of the civilians and Lond...

Read More

Balham Station bombing - 3

In remembrance of the civilians and London Transport staff who were killed at...

Read More

Bank Station WW2 bomb

{Above the London Underground roundel:} In remembrance of the fifty six peopl...

Read More

Show all 53

Other Subjects

Gladys Wundowa

Gladys Wundowa

Gladys Ama Addae was born on 14 March 1955 in Ghana. After coming to the UK she married Emmanuel B. Wundowa in the Tower Hamlets registration district in February 1991. They had two children: Azuma...

Person, Tragedy, Ghana

3 memorials
Helen Katherine Jones

Helen Katherine Jones

28-year-old chartered accountant, died as she travelled to work on the Piccadilly line, the only Scot killed in the 7 July bombings.  Read about the Memorial Scholarship set up in her name. Our col...

Person, Tragedy, Scotland

3 memorials
L. W. G. Wilson

L. W. G. Wilson

Station Officer -  One of two men (with Frederick Mitchell) who gave their lives at Soho Fire Station on 7th October 1940. London Fire Journal gives his name as William Wilson. See Mitchell for som...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial
Neil Dowse

Neil Dowse

A sheet metal worker, killed in the Ladbroke Grove rail disaster, aged 39. Andrew Behan has kindly carried out further research: Neil Bernard Dowse was born on 4 November 1959. He was a sheet meta...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Royal Society of Arts

Royal Society of Arts

Founded by William Shipley as the "Society of Arts" in Rawthmell's Coffee House. They carried on meeting in coffee houses and taverns but as the society grew they needed more space. Shipley rented ...

Group, Art, Commerce

18 memorials