Blitz, the

A World War II air-raid protection (ARP) warden in Chelsea, London, in 1939. In 1938, when war with Germany was imminent, the British government set up defence procedures to protect the civilian population against air attacks. At the height of the Blitz, London suffered 57 consecutive nights of bombing from German planes.

German air raids against Britain September 1940-May 1941, following Germany's failure to establish air superiority in the Battle of Britain. It has been estimated that about 42,000 civilians were killed, 50,000 were injured, and more than two million homes were destroyed and damaged in the Blitz, together with an immense amount of damage caused to industrial installations.