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

Mydiddee

Mydiddee

He was the servant of a Tahitian chief, and it is believed that he was brought to England by Captain Bligh (6 years after the ill-fated Bounty assignment) to act as a cultural ambassador. Already i...

Person, Race Issues, Tragedy, Tahiti

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
Frank Masters

Frank Masters

Naval cadet from the training ship Arethusa, aged 14. Drowned in the tragedy at Leysdown. He was assisting the scouts at the time.

Person, Children, Community / Clubs, Tragedy

2 memorials
M.A. Bobby Keegan

M.A. Bobby Keegan

Michael Anthony Keegan was born in August 1937. He died, aged 50 years, on 18 November 1987 in the King's Cross Underground Station fire. In the subsequent fire investigation report he was describe...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Mehdi El-Wahabi

Mehdi El-Wahabi

Mehdi El-Wahabi was born on 22 February 2009, the youngest of the three children of Abdulaziz El-Wahabi (1964- 2017) and Faouzia El-Wahabi née Rami (b. circa 1975).  He had two siblings, His broth...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial