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

Michael Egan

Michael Egan

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. He was the brother of Christine Egan who also died in the attack. Michael Egan was born on 13 July 1950 i...

Person, Tragedy, Canada, USA

1 memorial
Walter Henry Hathaway

Walter Henry Hathaway

Passenger killed in the Handley Page V/1500 air-crash. Walter Henry Hathaway was born on 16 November 1884 in Alderminster, Worcestershire (now Warwickshire), the fifth of the six children of John ...

Person, Aviation, Tragedy

1 memorial
Kingston Hospital - flying bomb

Kingston Hospital - flying bomb

The bomb landed on a tennis court by the nurses’ home. It destroyed the outpatients'  department and badly damaged many other areas including the casualty department. On this 1940 map the building...

Event, Tragedy

1 memorial
William Patrick Kelly

William Patrick Kelly

Assistant Electrician on the RMS Titanic. A full résumé of his life can be found on the Encyclopedia Titanica website. He is also commemorated on the Engineers Memorial, Andrews East Park, Above B...

Person, Engineering, Tragedy, Ireland, Scotland

1 memorial
Hugh John Moore

Hugh John Moore

Commander in the City of London police force. He oversaw the investigation into the death of Roberto Calvi, (dubbed 'God's Banker'), and was also involved with the investigations into the collapses...

Person, Armed Forces, Emergency Services, Tragedy

2 memorials

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F. M. Elgood

F. M. Elgood

Architect.  Other London work: 8-10 Wigmore Street - 1896 and 34 Weymouth Street - 1908.  1904-17 a member of the Ruislip-Northwood Urban District Council, on which he served as chairman.

Person, Architecture

1 memorial