The Significance Of The Blitz In Britain

The Blitz was the period of sustained strategic bombing of the United Kingdom by Nazi Germany during the Second World War. Hitler’s fear of not having control over Britain led to beliefs that Britain would eventually become a base for his enemies to attack him from. When France fell to Germany in 1940, Hitler’s aims were turned on Britain. He believed that if he destroyed the RAF Britain would no longer have any defence against an invasion. Hitler also wished to disrupt Britain’s economy and industry and many industrial cities were hit.
“Blitz” is the German word for lightening and it was adopted in Britain during this happening. Between 7 September 1940 and 21st May 1941 there were major aerial attacks on 16 British cities. London was attacked 71 times, Birmingham, Liverpool and Plymouth were attacked eight times, Bristol six, Glasgow five, Southampton four, Portsmouth and Hull three times.
On the 7th of September, one year into the war, London was attacked and bombed by the Luftwaffe for 77 nights.
More than 40 000 civilians were killed and one million London houses were either destroyed or damaged. Initial German bombing raids focused on mainly military and industrial targets. However, Hitler believed that by targeting civilians he could force the British to surrender. It was an attempt to shatter British morale and force Churchill into negotiating. However, the bombing had the opposite effect, bringing the English people together to face a common enemy. Encouraged by Churchill, the people became determined to hold out against the Nazi
onslaught.