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

Serkan Doğan

Serkan Doğan

19 years old, artist

Person, Tragedy, Turkey

1 memorial
Thomas Plater

Thomas Plater

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Alan Stewart

Alan Stewart

An accountant from Auckland, killed in the Ladbroke Grove rail disaster, aged 28. Andrew Behan has kindly carried out further research: Allan John Stewart was born in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotlan...

Person, Tragedy, New Zealand

1 memorial
Behic Sumer

Behic Sumer

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Nigel Bruce Thompson

Nigel Bruce Thompson

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Nigel Bruce Thompson was born on 25 February 1968 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, a twin son of Norman and Pat Th...

Person, Tragedy, USA

1 memorial

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David J. Chalmers

David J. Chalmers

Leading Fireman David James Chalmers was born on 7 July 1909, the younger son of Ernest William Chalmers (b.1882) and Louisa Henrietta Chalmers née Stevens (b.1882). His birth was registered in Mil...

Person, Emergency Services

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial
James Boswell

James Boswell

Born Edinburgh, died London. Known for his two-volume biography 'The Life Of Samuel Johnson' (1791).

Person, Literature, Scotland

5 memorials
Cicero
1 memorial
Chris Blackwell

Chris Blackwell

Businessman and record producer. Born Christopher Percy Gordon Blackwell in Westminster.

Person, Commerce, Music / songs

1 memorial
Corporation of the City of London

Corporation of the City of London

The municipal governing body of the City of London. Officially the 'Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London'. In 2006 the name was changed from just 'Corporation of London' to disti...

Group, Commerce, Politics & Administration

181 memorials