The Blitz

Blitz attack ... is a fast, violent attack on a town, city, etc. usually with bombs dropped from aircrafts The Blitz (shortened from German 'Blitzkrieg', "lightning war") Between 7 September 1940 and 21 May 1941 there were major aerial raids (attacks in which more than 100 tons of high explosives were dropped) on 16 British cities. Over a period of 267 days (almost 37 weeks), London was attacked 71 times, Birmingham, Liverpool and Plymouth eight times, Bristol six, Glasgow five, Southampton four, Portsmouth and Hull three, and there was also at least one large raid on another eight cities. This was a result of a rapid escalation starting on 24 August 1940, when night bombers aiming for RAF airfields drifted off course and accidentally destroyed several London homes, killing civilians, combined with the UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill's immediate response of bombing Berlin on the following night.

What was an air raid? An air raid was an attack by enemy planes dropping bombs. Warning of enemy planes was given by sirens. When people heard the sirens' wailing sound, they went into air raid shelters. Big bombs exploded with a loud bang and blew buildings apart. Small bombs called 'incendiaries' started fires. Fire fighters worked bravely to put out the flames. Rescue teams pulled people from fallen buildings. Ambulances took the injured to hospital. When the planes had gone, the sirens sounded the 'All Clear'.  In the summer of 1940, Hitler decided to invade Britain. His plan was to take control of the English Channel by destroying the Royal Air force and then to send German troops into Britain to take control. In July 1940, Hitler put his plan into operation. The German air force (Luftwaffe) began making daily bombing raids on British ships, ports, radar stations, airfields and aircraft factories. This became known as the Battle of Britain. The Royal Air force took to the skies and there were many battles between British and German planes over the Channel and South Coast. Although British losses were high, German losses were higher and at the beginning of September Hitler decided to try a new tactic to conquer Britain.

        BOMBING RAIDS Hitler believed that by targeting civilians he could force the British to surrender and on 7th September 1940 began his daily bombing ca BOMBING RAIDS Hitler believed that by targeting civilians he could force the British to surrender and on 7th September 1940 began his daily bombing campaign. London was the main target but other major cities were also bombed. Casualties were high. On the first day of bombing 430 people were killed and 1,600 badly injured. In the summer of 1940, Hitler decided to invade Britain. His plan was to take control of the English Channel by destroying the Royal Air force and then to send German troops into Britain to take control. In July 1940, Hitler put his plan into operation. The German air force (Luftwaffe) began making daily bombing raids on British ships, ports, radar stations, airfields and aircraft factories. This became known as the Battle of Britain. The Royal Air force took to the skies and there were many battles between British and German planes over the Channel and South Coast. Although British losses were high, German losses were higher and at the beginning of September Hitler decided to try a new tactic to conquer Britain.mpaign. London was the main target but other major cities were also bombed. Casualties were high. On the first day of bombing 430 people were killed and 1,600 badly injured. In the summer of 1940, Hitler decided to invade Britain. His plan was to take control of the English Channel by destroying the Royal Air force and then to send German troops into Britain to take control. In July 1940, Hitler put his plan into operation. The German air force (Luftwaffe) began making daily bombing raids on British ships, ports, radar stations, airfields and aircraft factories. This became known as the Battle of Britain. The Royal Air force took to the skies and there were many battles between British and German planes over the Channel and South Coast. Although British losses were high, German losses were higher and at the beginning of September Hitler decided to try a new tactic to conquer Britain.