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

Sapper McLaren

Sapper McLaren

Royal Engineer killed by an exploding bomb while assisting in the attempt to disarm it. Andrew Behan has kindly carried out some research on this man: Sapper Edward McLaren was born about 1918 in ...

Person, Armed Forces, Tragedy, Scotland

War dead, WW2
1 memorial
Soloman Galaman

Soloman Galaman

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

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Lynette Patricia McKeon

Lynette Patricia McKeon

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Sydenham air raid

Sydenham air raid

After losing too many Zeppelins, the Germans started using Gotha aircraft for bombing raids. Sydenham was one of the last raids of the war. The newly formed RAF put up considerable resistance, dest...

Event, Tragedy

1 memorial
Matthew Macauley

Matthew Macauley

An information technician killed in the Ladboke Grove rail disaster, aged 26. Andrew Behan has kindly carried out further research: Matthew Peter Macauley was born on 10 October 1972 in Kohimarama...

Person, Tragedy, New Zealand

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Bunhill burial ground - 2

Bunhill burial ground - 2

EC1, City Road

The 5 piers on the City Road boundary each carry a golden inscription.  We list them here south to north. There is a common misapprehens...

17 subjects commemorated