The London Blitz was the sustained bombing of Britain's capital by the German and Italian air forces from September 1940 to May 1941 during the Second World War (1939-45). The objective was to bomb Britain into submission, but despite almost 100,000 civilians being killed or injured in the nightly raids, Londoners resisted, and the war went on.
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Definition
Timeline
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24 Aug 1940German Heinkel He 111 bombers accidentally bomb London when aiming for an oil refinery.
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25 Aug 1940RAF bombers attack Berlin in retaliation for the Luftwaffe's bombing of London the previous night.
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Sep 1940 - May 1941The London Blitz when the British capital was repeatedly hit by Axis bombers of Germany and Italy.
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7 Sep 1940300 German bombers hit London. It marks the Luftwaffe's change in strategy to attack British cities in the Battle of Britain and the start of the London Blitz.
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30 Dec 1940The 'Second Great Fire of London' during the London Blitz.
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19 Apr 1941The heaviest bombing raid of the Luftwaffe during the London Blitz.
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10 May 1941The final Luftwaffe raid of the London Blitz.