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

Arthur John Rous

Arthur John Rous

Plumber on the RMS Titanic. A full résumé of his life can be found on the Encyclopedia Titanica website. He is also commemorated on the Engineers Memorial, Andrews East Park, Above Bar Street, Sou...

Person, Engineering, Tragedy

1 memorial
Ben Roberts

Ben Roberts

British, killed by the Bali bomb, age 28.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Dr Katharine Giles

Dr Katharine Giles

Dr Giles worked at the Centre for Polar Observation & Modelling, Department of Earth Sciences, University College London.  From her own website: "I am a NERC Postdoctoral Research Fellow and my...

Person, Cyclist, Tragedy

1 memorial
Lucy Holland

Lucy Holland

Daughter of Jane.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Guiseppe Pinelli

Guiseppe Pinelli

Anarchist. Born Milan, Italy. Worked as a railroad fitter. One of a number of anarchists who were taken in for questioning following a bomb that went off in Milan killing 17 people. Pinelli was see...

Person, Politics & Administration, Tragedy, Italy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

St Marys Newington - Rogers

St Marys Newington - Rogers

SE1, Newington Butts, Garden

Three churches and two clock towers have been built on this site, but nothing remains today. A modern information board (which you can se...

1 subject commemorated
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
Private Howard Washbrook

Private Howard Washbrook

Howard Washbrook was born in 1895 in Wednesfield, Staffordshire (now West Midlands), one of the ten children of Isaac Washbrook (1860-1945) and Eliza Washbrook née Brindley (1860-1920). His birth w...

Person, Armed Forces, Egypt

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
John Nash

John Nash

Born in London. Notable works: Regent Street, Royal Opera Arcade and the Royal Pavilion, Brighton. Much of his work was for the Prince Regent but we've heard that Mrs Nash gave birth to an illegiti...

Person, Architecture, Seriously Famous

7 memorials
Anchor Iron Wharf - history

Anchor Iron Wharf - history

SE10, Ballast Quay, By 4 - 6

{On the base of the monument:} Anchor Iron Wharf In 964 King Edgar granted this land to the abbey of St Peter's in Ghent, Flanders. Henry...

10 subjects commemorated, 2 creators