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

Danny Robert Lewis

Danny Robert Lewis

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Thomas Honey

Thomas Honey

Role on the lost expedition: Officer on SS Terror. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Michael Holden

Michael Holden

Michael Holden was born on 1 May 1931. He died, aged 56 years, on 18 November 1987 in the King's Cross Underground Station fire after dragging out several passengers to safety including a 55 year-o...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Stephen Speirs

Stephen Speirs

British, killed by the Bali bomb, age 35.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Andrew Gilbert

Andrew Gilbert

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Brother of Timothy Gilbert who also died in the attack. Andrew Clive Gilbert was born in 1962 and was ori...

Person, Tragedy, USA

1 memorial

Previously viewed

S. R. Lamble

S. R. Lamble

Builder, active in 1891.

Person, Property

2 memorials
Esso UK PLC

Esso UK PLC

Fuel company. The name is a phonetic representation of the initials of the company's predecessor Standard Oil. In 1972 it was generally replaced by the name Exxon. 

Group, Transport

2 memorials
Lawrence Emlyn Douglas Bevan

Lawrence Emlyn Douglas Bevan

Chairman of National Provident Institution in 1959. Andrew Behan has researched this man: Lawrence Emlyn Douglas Bevan C.B.E., was born on 7 January 1903 in Somerville, Fayette County, Tennessee, ...

Person, Politics & Administration, USA

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