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

James Daly

James Daly

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

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Malta Siege

Malta Siege

According to Wikipedia Malta has been besieged four times.  For the reason of "disambiguation" - this is the one in WW2.  This timeline has been transcribed from the memorial: June 1940: Italy dec...

Event, Armed Forces, Tragedy

1 memorial
Christina Betmalik

Christina Betmalik

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
sinking of the Titanic

sinking of the Titanic

On board were over 2,200 people: 1,316 passengers and about 900 crew.  1,517 lives were lost, including W. T. Stead and Christopher Head, but not J. P. Morgan, nor Charles Lightoller nor Harold Bri...

Event, Tragedy

8 memorials
Joseph Toynbee

Joseph Toynbee

Pioneer ear surgeon and father of economic historian Arnold Toynbee (1852-1883). Born Lincolnshire. From Museum of Wimbledon: "...settled in Wimbledon in 1854 and lived at Beech Holme along Parksid...

Person, Medicine, Philanthropy, Tragedy

1 memorial

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John Dean

John Dean

1883, Trustee of Lopping Hall, Loughton. According to G. Sludge, ".. a retired police officer, born Retford."

Person, Emergency Services, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Alfred Drury

Alfred Drury

Born London as Edward Alfred Briscoe Drury. More of his work can be seen on the Old War Office in Whitehall. Ornamental Passions has a good page on it.

Person, Sculpture

6 memorials
M. J. Curley

M. J. Curley

Councillor and Chairman of the Wembley History Society in 1953.

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Leigh Hunt

Leigh Hunt

Poet. Born Southgate. Named 'James Henry Leigh Hunt' after the Duke of Chandos, James Henry Leigh, who was employing Hunt's father, a preacher, as tutor to his nephew at the time of Hunt's birth. F...

Person, Literature, Poetry

6 memorials
Smith and Littlejohn - heroes

Smith and Littlejohn - heroes

SW3, Dovehouse Green

The plaque says the rescue occurred ‘near to this place’, when in fact it happened at the ‘World’s End’ area of Chelsea which is about ha...

3 subjects commemorated