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

Men of Twickenham who died in WW1 & WW2

Men of Twickenham who died in WW1 & WW2

Armed forces victims of both world wars.

Group, Armed Forces, Tragedy

1 memorial
Lilis Puspita

Lilis Puspita

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
William Goddard

William Goddard

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Yuka Suzuki

Yuka Suzuki

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
M. V. Rudi M

M. V. Rudi M

While berthed in Limehouse Basin undergoing a conversion, on 25 January 1980 a fire on this 1,000-ton petroleum gas tanker caused the death of Leading Fireman Stephen Maynard. Our colleague Andrew...

Vehicle, Industry, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Fawcett frieze - 15, Lowndes

Fawcett frieze - 15, Lowndes

SW1, Parliament Square

Most statues have plinths, which often carry the identity of the statue but little more. The plinth for this Millicent Fawcett statue is ...

1 subject commemorated
E. R. Bevan

E. R. Bevan

Sculptor active in 1954.

Person, Sculpture

1 memorial
The Beatrix Potter Society

The Beatrix Potter Society

Founded to promote the study and appreciation of the life and works of the author.

Group, Literature

1 memorial
PC William Frederick Tyler

PC William Frederick Tyler

William Frederick Tyler was the third child of Alfred Tyler (1853-1900) and his first wife, Susan Tyler née Fenn (1852-1883). His birth was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1877 in the Hendon, Midd...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy

1 memorial
Anne Frank

Anne Frank

Born Frankfurt, Germany. Died of typhus at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany.

Person, Children, Seriously Famous, Tragedy, Germany, Netherlands

5 memorials