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

Charles F. des Voeux

Charles F. des Voeux

Role on the lost expedition: Officer on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Myra Josephine Royal

Myra Josephine Royal

Myra Josephine Royal was born on 20 December 1958 in the Dominican Republic and grew up in Houston, Texas, USA. She was a daughter of Boswell and Eloise Royal. Our Picture Source and the Clipper C...

Person, Aviation, Tragedy, Caribbean Islands, Scotland, USA

1 memorial
Stanley Ross

Stanley Ross

Killed in the Camberwell Green air-raid, aged 14.

Person, Tragedy

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial
Brian Knights

Brian Knights

At Building we learn: "Brian Knights, a steel erector employed by William Hare, was helping to build an extension to the Imperial War Museum." "... steel erection company William Hare was fined £75...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Jill Sinclair

Jill Sinclair

Businesswoman and record company director. Born London. married music producer Trevor Horn in 1980 and they had 4 children. She has been called 'one of the most successful people in the British mus...

Person, Commerce, Music / songs, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

MDM Props

MDM Props

From their website: "MDM works with Artists and Galleries from across the globe, fabricating artworks in a multitude of materials to the highest standards. We work closely with each artist to under...

Group, Craft / Design, Sculpture

5 memorials
Ada Salter

Ada Salter

Socialist and pacifist. Born Ada Brown at Raunds, Northamptonshire. She joined the West London Mission to work among the London poor, and in 1897 transferred to the Bermondsey Settlement, where she...

Person, Community / Clubs, Politics & Administration

6 memorials
Gilpin pier at St Botolphs

Gilpin pier at St Botolphs

EC2, Bishopsgate, St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate churchyard

The piers on either side of the path look like gate-posts but there's no evidence of any gates ever having been attached. Each of the pie...

1 creator
World War 2

World War 2

Sorry, we've done no research on WW2, it's just too big a subject. But do visit the picture source web site - it has a fascinating collection of maps.  And we enjoyed these photos of current WW2 ev...

Event, Armed Forces, Tragedy

376 memorials
Capt. William George Butcher

Capt. William George Butcher

District Officer in the St John Ambulance Brigade, No. 1 District Metropolitan Corps, 1895-1938. Officer in the Order of St John.

Person, Armed Forces, Emergency Services, Medicine, Politics & Administration

1 memorial