The Blitz was a German bombing campaign against the United Kingdom in 1940 and 1941, during the Second World War. The term was first used by the British press and came from the term Blitzkrieg, the German word for 'lightning war'.[1]
The Germans conducted mass air attacks against industrial targets, towns, and cities, beginning with raids on London towards the end of the Battle of Britain in 1940.
By September 1940, the Luftwaffe had lost the Battle of Britain and the German air fleets (Luftflotten) were ordered to attack London, to draw RAF Fighter Command into a battle of annihilation.[2][3]
From 7 September 1940, London was bombed by the Luftwaffe for 56 of the following 57 days and nights.[4][5] Most notable was a large daylight attack against London on 15 September.
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