The Blitz

:For other meanings see Blitz (disambiguation)

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The Blitz, a popular English contraction of the German word Blitzkrieg, meaning "Lightning War", was the sustained and intensive bombing of the United Kingdom by Nazi Germany during 1940–1941. Although the Blitz took its name from the German Blitzkrieg, it was not an example of "lightning war" but was an early example of strategic bombing. It was carried out by the Luftwaffe against a range of targets across the UK, particularly concentrating on London.

Related Topics:
Blitzkrieg - Bombing - United Kingdom - Nazi Germany - 1940 - 1941 - Strategic bombing - Luftwaffe - London

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The campaign took place from 7 September 1940 through to 16 May 1941. Aerial attacks on UK targets resumed in 1944 with the V1 and V2. The Blitz inflicted around 43,000 deaths and destroyed over a million houses, but failed to achieve the Germans' strategic objectives of knocking Britain out of the war or rendering it unable to resist an invasion.

Related Topics:
7 September - 1940 - 16 May - 1941 - V1 and V2

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