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Blitz to be commemorated at London service 70 years on Veterans gather to remember the Blitz 70 years on
(about 2 hours later)
A remembrance service will be held later to mark the 70th anniversary of the start of the Blitz. Veterans have started to gather for a remembrance service to mark the 70th anniversary of the start of the Blitz.
Thousands of people across the UK were killed and injured in the series of bombing raids on cities by Hitler's forces in 1940 and 1941. Thousands of people across the UK were killed and injured in the series of bombing raids on cities by Adolf Hitler's forces in 1940 and 1941.
The City of London Salute at St Paul's Cathedral, London, will celebrate those who worked to protect Britons - such as pilots, firefighters and nurses.The City of London Salute at St Paul's Cathedral, London, will celebrate those who worked to protect Britons - such as pilots, firefighters and nurses.
Nearly 1,000 German planes crossed the channel on 7 September 1940. Nearly 1,000 German planes crossed the Channel on 7 September 1940.
Blitz, the German word for 'lightning', was applied by the British press to the tempest of heavy and frequent bombing raids carried out over Britain Blitz, the German word for "lightning", was applied by the British press to the tempest of heavy and frequent bombing raids carried out over Britain
This concentrated direct bombing on industrial targets and civilian centres, with heavy raids on London.This concentrated direct bombing on industrial targets and civilian centres, with heavy raids on London.
The date of 7 September has been chosen for the commemoration as it is exactly 70 years to the day since Hitler's war offensive switched to non-military targets.The date of 7 September has been chosen for the commemoration as it is exactly 70 years to the day since Hitler's war offensive switched to non-military targets.
The scale of the attack rapidly escalated. In September alone, the German Air Force dropped 5,300 tons of high explosives on the capital in just 24 nights. The scale of the attack rapidly escalated. In September alone, the German Air Force dropped 5,300 tonnes of high explosives on the capital in just 24 nights.
In their efforts to 'soften up' the British population and to destroy morale before the planned invasion, German planes extended their targets to include the major coastal ports and centres of production and supply. In their efforts to "soften up" the British population and to destroy morale before the planned invasion, German planes extended their targets to include the major coastal ports and centres of production and supply.
More than 400 people were killed on the first day alone. Hundreds more were injured and huge fires burned across London.More than 400 people were killed on the first day alone. Hundreds more were injured and huge fires burned across London.
London was not the only city targeted by the Luftwaffe. In Coventry, on 14 November 1940, 500 German bombers dropped 500 tons of explosives and nearly 900 incendiary bombs in ten hours of unrelenting bombardment, a tactic later emulated on an even greater scale by the RAF in its attacks on German cities. London was not the only city targeted by the Luftwaffe. In Coventry, on 14 November 1940, 500 German bombers dropped 500 tonnes of explosives and nearly 900 incendiary bombs in 10 hours of unrelenting bombardment, a tactic later emulated on an even greater scale by the RAF in its attacks on German cities.
Most industrialised areas were targeted, not least of all Merseyside, said to be the most heavily bombed region outside London. More than 4,000 people were killed, many during the worst raids in Christmas 1940 and May 1941.
In Belfast, about 900 people were killed in one night and about 100,000 - a quarter of the city's population - lost their homes.
Doris Nundy lived in Leyton in east London and kept a diary through the Blitz. When she died her daughter Alison found it. Alison read an extract for the BBC.Doris Nundy lived in Leyton in east London and kept a diary through the Blitz. When she died her daughter Alison found it. Alison read an extract for the BBC.
She said: "Last night, from six o'clock until after 11 o'clock, the air was full of the drone of enemy planes and the pounding of guns.She said: "Last night, from six o'clock until after 11 o'clock, the air was full of the drone of enemy planes and the pounding of guns.
"Soon after the siren was sounded, a blaze was reflected in the sky towards the city, and as the evening wore on, this reflection broadened until it seemed the whole sky must be on fire.""Soon after the siren was sounded, a blaze was reflected in the sky towards the city, and as the evening wore on, this reflection broadened until it seemed the whole sky must be on fire."
The commemoration event is being organised jointly by the Lord Mayor of the City of London and the RAF Association.The commemoration event is being organised jointly by the Lord Mayor of the City of London and the RAF Association.
It is intended to recognise the effort of everyone directly involved in the Battle of Britain and the Blitz.It is intended to recognise the effort of everyone directly involved in the Battle of Britain and the Blitz.
Those attending will include people who worked as firefighters, nurses, ambulance workers, as well as those who were children at the time, Battle of Britain pilots and other military personnel.Those attending will include people who worked as firefighters, nurses, ambulance workers, as well as those who were children at the time, Battle of Britain pilots and other military personnel.
Organisers have encouraged Londoners and tourists to turn out to support WWII veterans and current military personnel, who will hold a march-past through the City after the service. Organisers have encouraged Londoners and tourists to turn out to support World War II veterans and current military personnel, who will hold a march-past through the City after the service.
A WWII Spitfire, Lancaster and Dakota will fly overhead at the same time.A WWII Spitfire, Lancaster and Dakota will fly overhead at the same time.
The main air offensive against British cities diminished after May 1941, with the change of direction of the German war machine towards Russia.The main air offensive against British cities diminished after May 1941, with the change of direction of the German war machine towards Russia.
However, sporadic and lethal raids, using increasingly large bombs, continued for several more years. However, sporadic and lethal raids, using increasingly large bombs, continued for some time.