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

Lincoln David Abraham

Lincoln David Abraham

Lincoln David Abraham was born on 15 October 1970. His birth was registered in the 4th quarter of 1970 in the Paddington registration district and his mother's maiden name was Shaw. According to t...

Person, Tragedy, Southeast Asia

1 memorial
Floods of 1953

Floods of 1953

From Thamesweb: "In January 1953, the east coast of England was devastated by some of the worst flooding in recent memory. A number of extreme weather events combined to cause major flooding in are...

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1 memorial
Murat Gündüz

Murat Gündüz

22 years old, artist

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1 memorial
Moira Gemmill

Moira Gemmill

Gemmill was killed by a tipper truck while cycling to work at 9.30am on a Thursday. 55 years old, a designer, she had led the recent acclaimed re-design and refurbishment of the V&A.  She had a...

Person, Cyclist, Tragedy

1 memorial
Thomas Becket

Thomas Becket

Chancellor, Archbishop and Martyr. Born Cheapside of French parents. son of Gilbert Becket, mercer. Archbishop of Canterbury, 1162 to his death. Assassinated after his erstwhile friend, Henry II, d...

Person, Politics & Administration, Religion, Tragedy

2 memorials