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

Hasret Gültekin

Hasret Gültekin

23 years old, poet and artist

Person, Tragedy, Turkey

1 memorial
Alice Maud Denman

Alice Maud Denman

Died in a fire at 423 Hackney Road on the night of 19/20 April 1902. For more details see our page for the fire.

Person, Tragedy

2 memorials
Nesimi Çimen

Nesimi Çimen

67 years old, poet and artist

Person, Tragedy, Turkey

1 memorial
Simone Jane Hanley

Simone Jane Hanley

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Belinda Rae Allen

Belinda Rae Allen

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Surrey Iron Railway Company

Surrey Iron Railway Company

The first public railway in England, probably the first in the world. A transport system from London to Portsmouth was needed, either a canal or a tramway.  The engineer William Jessop, recommende...

Group, Transport

2 memorials
Knightsbridge - 1 - Edward VII

Knightsbridge - 1 - Edward VII

SW1, Knightsbridge, 55 - 91

This huge building, Grade 2 listed and in need of a clean, is actually 18 buildings behind a unifying facade designed by W. D. Caroe, in ...

1 subject commemorated
Ben Jonson

Ben Jonson

Playwright and poet. Born in Westminster, possibly, and a committed Londoner, though also of proud Scottish descent. Imprisoned three times, once for his first play which was deemed to be "lewd, se...

Person, Theatre, Scotland

3 memorials
Mosaics - Queen Elizabeth II

Mosaics - Queen Elizabeth II

EC4, New Change, One New Change - roof terrace

One New Change: "The mosaics were originally located within the main entrance lobby of the New Change Building, a home to Bank of England...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Lincoln Stanhope Wainright

Lincoln Stanhope Wainright

E1, Wapping Lane

The WW2 plaque is very high up on the wall behind the arches and can only be read from a zoomed-in photo. The naming is confusing. This ...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator