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

Andrea Angel, Edward Medal

Andrea Angel, Edward Medal

Employed at the Silvertown Brunner Mond works and killed in the 1917 Silvertown explosion. The Imperial War Museum has a page with many entries. There is also a page for his wife. In 1904 he marri...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Percy Edwin Cook

Percy Edwin Cook

For more information about this hero click on the picture of his plaque.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
William Edward Farquharson

William Edward Farquharson

Senior Second 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 B...

Person, Engineering, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Cordwainer statue

Cordwainer statue

EC4, Watling Street

Originally erected in the courtyard of St Mary le Bow church but it was moved here after a few years.  Prompted by this statue London Det...

1 subject commemorated, 14 creators
Private Frederick H. Radford

Private Frederick H. Radford

HMS Monarch, Royal Marine Light Infantry, South Africa.

Person, South Africa

War dead, Other war
1 memorial
Paul Ellis

Paul Ellis

Aged 25. London cycle courier for Olympic killed by a left-turning skip lorry. Driver acquitted. Andrew Behan has kindly provided this research: John Paul Ellis was born on 15 February 1964 in Ire...

Person, Cyclist, Tragedy, Ireland

1 memorial
World War 2

World War 2

Sorry, we've done no research on WW2, it's just too big a subject. But do visit the picture source web site - it has a fascinating collection of maps.  And we enjoyed these photos of current WW2 ev...

Event, Armed Forces, Tragedy

376 memorials
Sid James

Sid James

Comedy actor.  Born in Johannesburg (on Hancock Street), South Africa, to a pair of British music hall performers and brought up in both South Africa and England.  Worked as a diamond sorter and th...

Person, Cinema, Humour, TV & Radio, South Africa

4 memorials