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

Sir Louis Stanley Johnson

Sir Louis Stanley Johnson

Solicitor and Conservative Party politician. Member of Hackney Council. Mayor of Hackney 1914-19. MP for  Walthamstow East 1918-24. Knighted 1920. Died by suicide with a gun to his head, at his hom...

Person, Politics & Administration, Tragedy

1 memorial
Sander Harskamp

Sander Harskamp

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Francoise Dahan

Francoise Dahan

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Paul Gary Bristow

Paul Gary Bristow

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Paul Gary Bristow was born on 15 January 1974 and his birth was registered in the first quarter of 1974 in...

Person, Tragedy, USA

1 memorial
Wang Zhiming

Wang Zhiming

Pastor and evangelist killed during the Chinese cultural revolution.

Person, Religion, Tragedy, China/Hong Kong

1 memorial

Previously viewed

John Passmore Edwards - NW3

John Passmore Edwards - NW3

NW3, Netherhall Gardens, 51

John Passmore Edwards, 1823 - 1911, journalist, editor and builder of free public libraries, lived here. English Heritage

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Hyde Park Conduit House - 2

Hyde Park Conduit House - 2

W2, Hyde Park, to east of Serpentine Bar and Kitchen

The river Westbourne used to run though Hyde Park following the course of what is now the Long Water and the Serpentine and left the Park...

4 subjects commemorated
Basil Hume, Lamb's Passage

Basil Hume, Lamb's Passage

EC1, Lamb's Passage

This space, previously the car park of St. Joseph’s Church, was created by father Bruno Healy, together with landscape gardener Simon P...

1 subject commemorated
Church House WC1 - building

Church House WC1 - building

WC1, Wakefield Street, United Reformed Church Trust

The blue plaque is on the site of number 13, now the United Reformed Church Trust’s UK headquarters. The other two plaques are inside, in...

3 subjects commemorated