The Blitz, from the German word Blitzkrieg meaning 'lightning war', refers to the sustained bombing campaign conducted by Nazi Germany against the United Kingdom during World War II. This campaign aimed to demoralize the British population and force the British Government to surrender by targeting key cities and industrial areas.
The Blitz officially began on 7 September 1940 and lasted until 11 May 1941, though sporadic raids continued beyond this date. The campaign primarily focused on:
The Blitz caused widespread destruction:
The British response included:
The intensity of the Blitz began to wane after the Luftwaffe failed to break British morale or achieve air superiority. The focus of the Luftwaffe shifted towards the Eastern Front following the invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, leading to a decrease in the bombing of the UK.
The Blitz has left a lasting impact on British culture and memory: