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

Walter Mauger

Walter Mauger

Employed at the Silvertown Brunner Mond works and killed in the 1917 Silvertown explosion. Imperial War Museum has a page. Another page at the IWM gives: "Walter's brother, Edward, was killed in a...

Person, Tragedy, Channel Islands

1 memorial
Falklands War

Falklands War

Died: 649 Argentinians, 255 British, 3 civilian Falkland Islanders. 

Event, Armed Forces, Tragedy, Argentina

6 memorials
Keith Palmer

Keith Palmer

Police Constable 4157U, Keith David Palmer. From the Police Memorial Trust: "PC Palmer, though unarmed, stopped a knife-wielding terrorist from entering the Palace of Westminster during the 2017 W...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy

2 memorials
Colin J. Townsley G.M., Station Officer

Colin J. Townsley G.M., Station Officer

The officer in charge of Red Watch at Soho Fire Station. Died trying to rescue a woman from the blazing ticketing hall as the fire suddenly erupted. Fire-fighters attempting to re-enter the ticketi...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy

3 memorials

Previously viewed

Stanley Humphrey Tremelling
War dead, WW1
1 memorial
A. J. Phelps

A. J. Phelps

Architect associated with Surbiton. Also built  the 1871 Church of St John, Grove Lane, Kingston upon Thames.

Person, Architecture

1 memorial
Sir William Henry Perkin, FRS

Sir William Henry Perkin, FRS

Chemist.  Born King David's Lane, Shadwell.  While a student at the Royal College of Chemistry, aged 18 he discovered the first aniline dyestuff while working in his home laboratory.   He dropped o...

Person, Science

1 memorial
Tony Hancock

Tony Hancock

Comedy actor.  Otherwise known as Anthony Aloysius St. John Hancock, of 23 Railway Cuttings, East Cheam.  Born in Birmingham as Anthony John Hancock. He was a major figure in British television and...

Person, Humour, TV & Radio, Australia

6 memorials
Carpenters' Hall - Inigo Jones

Carpenters' Hall - Inigo Jones

EC2, London Wall, 1 Throgmorton Avenue

This memorial used to be in Puzzle Corner until walking guide Ian Swankie pointed out the unarguable resemblance to Inigo Jones. 

1 subject commemorated