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

Thomas Faryner and his shop

Thomas Faryner and his shop

Born 1615-6, Thomas Faryner (or Farriner) joined the Baker's Company in 1637, and by 1649 had his own bakery/shop/home on Pudding Lane. It seems that someone failed properly to extinguish a fire in...

Building, Food & Drink, Tragedy

3 memorials
Robert Millar

Robert Millar

Extra 5th 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, Above Bar ...

Person, Engineering, Tragedy, Scotland

1 memorial
Luis L. Ramirez

Luis L. Ramirez

Ramirez's divorced wife's lover was murdered in Texas in 1998.  Ramirez was indicted for solicitation of capital murder. In 1999 he was sentenced to death and executed in 2005.

Person, Law, Race Issues, Tragedy, USA

1 memorial
Ann Dives

Ann Dives

Drowned in the 1898 HMS Albion disaster, aged 39. Buried in grave 1 at the memorial in East London Cemetery.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Oliver Bennett

Oliver Bennett

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Oliver Duncan Bennett was born on 8 April 1972 and his birth was registered in the Hammersmith registratio...

Person, Tragedy, USA

1 memorial