July 20, 1982: Two IRA bombs explode in central London less than two hours apart. Both the RAF and Luftwaffe struggled to replace manpower losses, though the Germans had larger reserves of trained aircrew. The Blitz referred to the bombing of most major British cities by the Germans in World War II. Regional commissioners were given plenipotentiary powers to restore communications and organise the distribution of supplies to keep the war economy moving. Whitechapel, London - History | Victorian Era and Before Locating targets in skies obscured by industrial haze meant the target area needed to be illuminated and hit "without regard for the civilian population". More might have been achieved had OKL exploited the vulnerability of British sea communications. The Blitz | Facts, History, Damage, & Casualties | Britannica X-Gert received and analysed the pulses, giving the pilot visual and aural directions. Ports were easier to find and made better targets. - Wikipedia Democracies, where public opinion was allowed, were thought particularly vulnerable. Bomb-Damage Maps Reveal London's World War II Devastation - Science OKL did not believe air power alone could be decisive and the Luftwaffe did not adopt an official policy of the deliberate bombing of civilians until 1942. [94], On 9 September the OKL appeared to be backing two strategies. [93] The use of diversionary techniques such as fires had to be made carefully. Ground-based radar was limited, and airborne radar and RAF night fighters were generally ineffective. The Blitz was a huge bombing campaign of London and other English cities carried about by the German airforce from September 1940 to May 1941. The policy of RAF Bomber Command became an attempt to achieve victory through the destruction of civilian will, communications and industry. [1] It was the capital not just for the United Kingdom, but for the entire British Empire. The German bombing of Britain from 1940-45 exacted a terrible price, in lives lost, infrastructure wrecked and nerves shattered. [176] Total losses could have been as high as 600 bombers, just 1.5 percent of the sorties flown. Between 1940 and 1945, over 52,000 civilians were killed in Britain during bombing raids by German aircraft. Around 250 tons (9,000 bombs) had been dropped, killing 1,413 people and injuring 3,500 more. [60] In March 1943, 173 men, women and children were crushed to death at Bethnal Green tube station in a crowd surge after a woman fell down the steps as she entered the station. [132] On 19 November 1940 the famous RAF night fighter ace John Cunningham shot down a Ju 88 bomber using airborne radar, just as Dowding had predicted. He frequently complained of the Luftwaffe's inability to damage industries sufficiently, saying, "The munitions industry cannot be impeded effectively by air raids usually, the prescribed targets are not hit". The Communists attempted to blame the damage and casualties of the Coventry raid on the rich factory owners, big business and landowning interests and called for a negotiated peace. In December, only 11 major and five heavy attacks were made. Hayward 2007, www.ltmrecordings.com/blitz1notes.html, Last edited on 24 February 2023, at 12:33, German strategic bombing during World War I, Neville Chamberlain declared war on Germany, Women's Voluntary Services for Civil Defence, Bombing of Wiener Neustadt in World War II, "The Blitz: The Bombing of Britain in WWII", "Families pay tribute to Stoke Newington war dead", Forgotten Voices of the Blitz and the Battle for Britain, The Wages of Destruction: The Making and Breaking of the Nazi Economy, Parliament & The Blitz UK Parliament Living Heritage, "London Blitz 1940: the first day's bomb attacks listed in full", Archive recordings from The Blitz, 194041 (audiobook), The Blitz: Sorting the Myth from the Reality, Exploring 20th century London The Blitz, Oral history interview with Barry Fulford, recalling his childhood during the Blitz, Interactive bombing map of Buckinghamshire, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Blitz&oldid=1141315217. [50] Panic during the Munich crisis, such as the migration by 150,000 people to Wales, contributed to fear of social chaos.[54]. Dozens of men, women and children celebrate a Christmas party at a London Underground station during the Blitz in 1940. World War 2 Timeline - 1940. by Ben Johnson. The name "Blitz" comes from the word "blitzkrieg" which meant "lightning war". 'Blitz' is an abbreviation of the German word 'blitzkrieg', meaning 'lightning war'. 5 Jan. Leslie Hore-Belisha, Britain's Minister of War, is dismissed. In the following month, 22 German bombers were lost with 13 confirmed to have been shot down by night fighters. If a vigilant bomber crew could spot the fighter first, they had a decent chance of evading it. 4 June 1940 18 June 1940 22 June 1940 1 July 1940 . Over 2,000 AAA shells were fired, destroying two Ju 88s. Cardiff was bombed on three nights; Portsmouth centre was devastated by five raids. [127] In November 1940, 6,000 sorties and 23 major attacks (more than 100 tons [102t] of bombs dropped) were flown. There was also minor ethnic antagonism between the small Black, Indian and Jewish communities, but despite this these tensions quietly and quickly subsided. At the beginning of the war in 1939, London was the largest city in the world, with 8.2 million inhabitants. A building collapsing in Whitechapel during the Blitz. Many unemployed people were drafted into the Royal Army Pay Corps and with the Pioneer Corps, were tasked with salvaging and clean-up. Over a period of nine months, over 43,500 civilians were killed in the raids, which focused on major cities and industrial centres. [31], The circumstances affected the Germans more than the British. [191] In other cities, class divisions became more evident. The first cross-beam alerted the bomb-aimer, who activated a bombing clock when the second cross-beam was reached. [169] The Beaufighter had a maximum speed of 320mph (510km/h), an operational ceiling of 26,000ft (7,900m), a climb rate of 2,500ft (760m) per minute, and its battery of four 20mm (0.79in) Hispano cannon and six .303in Browning machine guns was much more lethal. American observer Ralph Ingersoll reported the bombing was inaccurate and did not hit targets of military value, but destroyed the surrounding areas. The year-long project . Official histories concluded that the mental health of a nation may have improved, while panic was rare. : The Blitz 1940 971941 510 : Blitz The London Blitz, 1940 - EyeWitness to History It could be claimed civilians were not to be targeted directly, but the breakdown of production would affect their morale and will to fight. [127] Over 10,000 incendiaries were dropped. [174] By the end of May, Kesselring's Luftflotte 2 had been withdrawn, leaving Hugo Sperrle's Luftflotte 3 as a token force to maintain the illusion of strategic bombing. [94], On 15 September the Luftwaffe made two large daylight attacks on London along the Thames Estuary, targeting the docks and rail communications in the city. [155], The diversion of heavier bombers to the Balkans meant that the crews and units left behind were asked to fly two or three sorties per night. Loge had cost the Luftwaffe 41 aircraft; 14 bombers, 16 Messerschmitt Bf 109s, seven Messerschmitt Bf 110s and four reconnaissance aircraft. Romanov Family Overview, History & Facts | Romanov Dynasty of Russia In subsequent months a steady number of German bombers would fall to night fighters. While direct attacks against civilians were ruled out as "terror bombing", the concept of attacking vital war industriesand probable heavy civilian casualties and breakdown of civilian moralewas ruled as acceptable.[18]. Home Secretary Sir John Anderson was replaced by Morrison soon afterwards, in the wake of a Cabinet reshuffle as the dying Neville Chamberlain resigned. [152] Raeder's successorKarl Dnitzwouldon the intervention of Hitlergain control of one unit (KG 40), but Gring would soon regain it. [101] On 8 September the Luftwaffe returned; 412 people were killed and 747 severely wounded. [175], Between 20 June 1940, when the first German air operations began over Britain, and 31 March 1941, OKL recorded the loss of 2,265 aircraft over the British Isles, a quarter of them fighters and one-third bombers. From 1940 to 1941, the most successful night-fighter was the Boulton Paul Defiant; its four squadrons shot down more enemy aircraft than any other type. Summerfield and Peniston-Bird 2007, p. 3. [172], By April and May 1941, the Luftwaffe was still getting through to their targets, taking no more than one- to two-percent losses per mission. The number of suicides and drunkenness declined, and London recorded only about two cases of "bomb neurosis" per week in the first three months of bombing. This involved the bombing of English Channel convoys, ports, and RAF airfields and supporting industries. [180] The 10th directive in October 1940 mentioned morale by name but industrial cities were only to be targeted if weather prevented raids on oil targets.[181]. [114] It is not clear whether the power station or any specific structure was targeted during the German offensive as the Luftwaffe could not accurately bomb select targets during night operations. [124] Although the use of the guns improved civilian morale, with the knowledge the German bomber crews were facing the barrage, it is now believed that the anti-aircraft guns achieved little and in fact the falling shell fragments caused more British casualties on the ground. In January 1941, Fighter Command flew 486 sorties against 1,965 made by the Germans. This had important implications. Dowding had introduced the concept of airborne radar and encouraged its usage. The moon was full and the Thames had a very low ebb tide. From 1916 to 1918, German raids had diminished against countermeasures which demonstrated defence against night air raids was possible. If the German bomber flew closer to its own beam than the meacon then the former signal would come through the stronger on the direction finder. The Blitz was a German bombing campaign against the United Kingdom, in 1940 and 1941, during the Second World War. While wartime bombings affected London in both world wars, it was the Blitz that truly altered the cityscape forever. Only one year earlier, there had only been 6,600 full-time and 13,800 part-time firemen in the entire country. They believed the Luftwaffe had failed in precision attack and concluded the German example of area attack using incendiaries was the way forward for operations over Germany. Later in . When the Luftwaffe struck at British cities for the first time on 7 September 1940, a number of civic and political leaders were worried by Dowding's apparent lack of reaction to the new crisis. In the Myth of the Blitz, Calder exposed some of the counter-evidences of anti-social and divisive behaviours. The bombing effort was diluted by attacks against several sets of industries instead of constant pressure on the most vital. [43] The Luftwaffe's strategy became increasingly aimless over the winter of 19401941. The Blitz - Wikipedia 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars. The government saw the leading role taken by the Communist Party in advocating the building of deep shelters as an attempt to damage civilian morale, especially after the MolotovRibbentrop Pact of August 1939. [13][14], In the 1920s and 1930s, airpower theorists such as Giulio Douhet and Billy Mitchell claimed that air forces could win wars, obviating the need for land and sea combat. Many people over 35 remembered the bombing and were afraid of more. 348 bombers led by 617 fighters barraged London around 4:00 in the afternoon that day. [48] Based on experience with German strategic bombing during World War I against the United Kingdom, the British government estimated that 50 casualtieswith about one-third killedwould result for every tonne of bombs dropped on London. [183], A popular image arose of British people in the Second World War: a collection of people locked in national solidarity. He told OKL in 1939 that ruthless employment of the Luftwaffe against the heart of the British will to resist would follow when the moment was right. [94] A total of 348 bombers and 617 fighters took part in the attack. [1], In early July 1940, the German High Command began planning Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. History of the Battle of Britain The Blitz - The Hardest Night The Blitz - The Hardest Night 10/11 May 1941, 11:02pm - 05:57am The most devastating raid on London took place on the night of 10/11 May 1941. The Allies did so later when Bomber Command attacked rail communications and the United States Army Air Forces targeted oil, but that would have required an economic-industrial analysis of which the Luftwaffe was incapable. For eight months the Luftwaffe dropped bombs on London and other strategic cities across Britain. The meacon system involved separate locations for a receiver with a directional aerial and a transmitter. Ironically, the Blitz was the result of an . Children in the East End of London, made homeless by the Blitz From this point, there were air raids every day for two months. Whitechapel suffered greatly during this period. The reverse would apply only if the meacon were closer. But the Luftwaffe's effort eased in the last 10 attacks as seven Kampfgruppen moved to Austria in preparation for the Balkans Campaign in Yugoslavia and Greece. [106], Loge continued during October. [22], Two prominent enthusiasts for ground-support operations (direct or indirect) were Hugo Sperrle the commander of Luftflotte 3 (1 February 1939 23 August 1944) and Hans Jeschonnek (Chief of the Luftwaffe General Staff from 1 February 1939 19 August 1943). Tickets were issued for bunks in large shelters, to reduce the amount of time spent queuing. [40] Late in the afternoon of 7 September 1940, the Germans began Operation London (Unternehmen Loge, Loge being the codename for London) and Operation Sea Snake (Unternehmen Seeschlange), the air offensives against London and other industrial cities. [24][182] [145] Captured German aircrews also indicated the homes of industrial workers were deliberately targeted. During World War I, German zeppelins and Gotha airplanes had bombed the city and forced people to take shelter in the tunnels. The Communist Party made political capital out of these difficulties. Dowding agreed air defence would require some offensive action and that fighters could not defend Britain alone. British anti-aircraft defences (General Frederick Alfred Pile) fired 8,326 rounds and shot down only 2 bombers. At least 3,363 Luftwaffe aircrew were killed, 2,641 missing and 2,117 wounded. WW2 Timeline | Timeline Cards (teacher made) - Twinkl Who . When the third cross-beam was reached the bomb aimer activated a third trigger, which stopped the first hand of the clock, with the second hand continuing. German intelligence suggested Fighter Command was weakening, and an attack on London would force it into a final battle of annihilation while compelling the British Government to surrender. The Impact of the Blitz on London - History Learning Site [140] The first group to use these incendiaries was Kampfgruppe 100 which despatched 10 "pathfinder" He 111s. Hitler believed the Luftwaffe was "the most effective strategic weapon", and in reply to repeated requests from the Kriegsmarine for control over naval aircraft insisted, "We should never have been able to hold our own in this war if we had not had an undivided Luftwaffe. Corum 1997, pp. By 1938, experts generally expected that Germany would try to drop as much as 3,500 tonnes in the first 24 hours of war and average 700 tonnes a day for several weeks. Bomb damage around St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London. The number of contacts and combats rose in 1941, from 44 and two in 48 sorties in January 1941, to 204 and 74 in May (643 sorties). [76], Civilians of London played an enormous role in protecting their city. [9] and a large raid on the night of 10-11 May 1941. These collections include period interviews with civilians, servicemen, aircrew, politicians and Civil Defence personnel, as well as Blitz actuality recordings, news bulletins and public information broadcasts. [93], The first deliberate air raids on London were mainly aimed at the Port of London, causing severe damage. Britons in incredible photos marking 80 years since the Blitz [127] By the second month of the Blitz the defences were not performing well. All but one railway station line was blocked for several weeks. Two hours later, guided by the fires set by the first assault, a second group of raiders commenced another attack that lasted until 4:30 the following morning.

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