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

Mark Slavin

Mark Slavin

Wrestler. Born in Minsk, Belarus SSR. Winner of the Soviet Greco-Roman wrestling middleweight junior championship in 1971. He moved to Israel to join their Olympic team. Murdered by Palestinian ter...

Person, Sport / Games, Tragedy, Germany, Israel/Palestine

1 memorial
Southall rail crash

Southall rail crash

An InterCity 125 high speed passenger train from Swansea failed to slow down in response to warning signals and collided with a freight train crossing its path. Seven people were killed and 139 inj...

Event, Tragedy, Transport

3 memorials
Harry D. S. Goodsir

Harry D. S. Goodsir

Role on the lost expedition: Officer on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.  A skeleton was found which is thought to be his.  See the picture source for how they did that.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Amelia Kennedy

Amelia Kennedy

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

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

World War 1

World War 1

We'd always assumed that this war was known as the Great War until WW2 came along at which point it was renamed as World War One or the First World War. But the term was first used in print in 1920...

Event, Armed Forces, Tragedy

402 memorials
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - SE25

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - SE25

SE25, Tennison Road, 12

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 1859 - 1930, creator of Sherlock Holmes lived here, 1891 - 1894. Greater London Council

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Savoy Palace

Savoy Palace

British History Online informs that a house was "built by ... Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, in 1245; but in the thirtieth year of Henry III. it was granted by the king to Peter, Count of Sa...

Building, Property

4 memorials
RAF Suez at St Clement Danes

RAF Suez at St Clement Danes

WC2, Strand, St Clement Danes

Royal Air Force (Egypt) Memorial gives a report of the laying of this stone.

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator