5.1.1
London: A Target
Why was London Targeted?
Why was London Targeted?
London was a focal point in WWII, as Hitler and the Axis of power tried to force Britain to surrender. Civilians were heavily affected but came together in what became known as the ‘Blitz Spirit’.
Capital city
Capital city
- Capital city:
- Centre of government.
- Chance of killing leading government officials.
Important port
Important port
- Important port:
- Food and military supplies came in here.
- Food shortages would lower morale and poor supplies would weaken the army.
Industrial centre
Industrial centre
- Industrial centre:
- Destroying factories would damage the war effort.
Large population
Large population
- Large population:
- London was Britain’s biggest city.
- It had a population of 8.6m in 1939.
Geography
Geography
- Geography:
- London is in the south east corner of Britain, close to France, Belgium and Netherlands.
- This makes it easy for Germany to target.
- The Thames was also easily recognisable for bombers even at night.
Where was Targeted?
Where was Targeted?
London was a focal point in WWII, as Hitler and the Axis of power tried to force Britain to surrender. Civilians were heavily affected but came together in what became known as the ‘Blitz Spirit’.
East End
East End
- East End:
- Home to the docklands, where weaponry, food and raw materials were unloaded and loaded.
- Significant numbers of tenement flats making it densely populated.
Westminster
Westminster
- Westminster:
- Home to Buckingham Palace and Downing Street.
- The aim was to unsettle the government and civilian morale.
- Home to Buckingham Palace and Downing Street.
The City of London
The City of London
- The City of London:
- Home to London’s finance hub and the telephone exchange.
- The aim was to disrupt communications.
The suburbs
The suburbs
- The suburbs:
- The aim was to damage civilian morale and encourage pressure on the government to surrender.
1Medieval Warfare c.1250-1500
2Early Modern Warfare c.1500-1700
3Industrial Warfare c.1700-1900
4Modern Warfare c.1900-present
5The Historic Environment
5.1London & the Second World War, 1939-45
Jump to other topics
1Medieval Warfare c.1250-1500
2Early Modern Warfare c.1500-1700
3Industrial Warfare c.1700-1900
4Modern Warfare c.1900-present
5The Historic Environment
5.1London & the Second World War, 1939-45
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