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 Blanky

Thomas Blanky

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Anthony Berbeck

Anthony Berbeck

Berbeck actually escaped the fire, but became mentally disturbed and died after falling from a balcony, a possible suicide. Our colleague, Andrew Behan, has researched this young man: Anthony Alex...

Person, Tragedy

2 memorials
Downhills air raid shelter attack

Downhills air raid shelter attack

The shelter which contained about 300 people, suffered a direct hit at about 10.30 pm on 19 September 1940. More than 100 people were injured in the attack. 42 people were killed:14 men, 24 women a...

Event, Tragedy

1 memorial
Thomas Henry Thrower

Thomas Henry Thrower

Thomas Henry Thrower was born on 30 December 1915 at 35 Eagle Wharf Road, Hoxton, London, the sixth of the eight children of Frederick Thrower (1882-1963) and Alice Maud Thrower née Stubbings (1884...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial