What was the Blitz?

2. What was the Blitz? • Blitz is a shortened name for the German word Blitzkrieg, which means lightning war. • Night after night from Sept 1940 until May 1941, London and other cities such as Cardiff, Bristol and Plymouth were heavily bombed. • Over one third of London was destroyed.

3. When did the Blitz start? • On the 7th September 1940, the German air force decided to concentrate its bombing on London. • Nearly 2,000 people were killed or wounded in London’s first night of the Blitz.

4. How did people protect themselves? • Thousands of children were evacuated to the countryside where they would be safe from the bombings. • For those that were left, Morrison and Anderson shelters were built in gardens to protect themselves. Many people in London also spent the nights sleeping in the underground

5. How did people protect themselves? • The government also enforced a compulsory blackout during the evenings. • Everyone had to cover their windows and doors to prevent any glimmer of light escaping and revealing their location to German bombers. • Streetlights were also turned off and cars were fitted with special headlights. • Thousands of people had accidents in cars or falling over things during the night.

6. What was life like during the Blitz • Families were separated due to evacuation. • Many people had sleepless nights in air raid shelters, which were often very cramped, cold and damp. • Due to the blackout many people simply stayed in doors at night • Over two million homes were destroyed, 32,000 people lost their lives and 87,000 were seriously injured.

7. Why did the Blitz end? • In mid May 1941 the bombings were finally over. • The German air force were ordered to fly east to prepare for the invasion of Russia. • Although the bombings no longer took place the British people were left with the mammoth task of rebuilding homes, cities and lives.