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 Ryland Dyer

Henry Ryland Dyer

Senior Assistant 4th Engineer on the RMS Titanic. A full résumé of his life can be found on the Encyclopedia Titanica website. He is also commemorated on the Engineers Memorial, Andrews East Park, ...

Person, Engineering, Tragedy, India

1 memorial
Bhavana Krishnamoorthy

Bhavana Krishnamoorthy

Bhavana Krishnamoorthy was born on 29 January 1975. She was a PhD research student at University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and was murdered, aged 29 years, on 29 Ap...

Person, Education, Tragedy, India

1 memorial
Paul Gilbey

Paul Gilbey

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Paul Stuart Gilbey was born on 31 July 1962 and his birth was registered in the Edmonton registration dist...

Person, Tragedy, USA

1 memorial
Ronald Gilligan

Ronald Gilligan

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Ronald Lawrence Gilligan was born on 15 May 1958 in Sefton General Hospital, Smithdown Road, Liverpool, La...

Person, Tragedy, USA

1 memorial
Ketut Nana Wijaya

Ketut Nana Wijaya

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Islington Council

Islington Council

The Islington Book of Remembrance is an impressive undertaking: the database has a list of memorials in Islington. There are also lists of Conflict / Event / Incident, each with an associated list ...

Group, Politics & Administration

72 memorials
Sir Ove N. Arup

Sir Ove N. Arup

Born Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, son of the Danish Consul and was educated in Germany and later Denmark. Civil engineer who collaborated with many modern architects on projects such as the Sydney Opera ...

Person, Architecture, Engineering, Denmark, Germany

1 memorial