The intended effect of The Blitz was to demoralize the British citizenry, open the way to an eventual invasion of the island and ultimately force a surrender. This obviously did not succeed, although the final tabulation of more than 50,000 civilian deaths and one million homes destroyed turned the everyday lives of the English people upside down.
Beginning in September 1940, German air strikes hit London for 57 consecutive nights, and during the nearly 10 months of bombings that ended in May 1941, more than 43,000 civilians were killed. Since London was the main target of German air attacks, many of the citizens moved to the countryside to avoid the constant destruction. Some Londoners remained away from the city, while many who maintained their jobs merely made longer commutes each day.
Although the city remained in a constant state of rebuilding, the extensive tube stations were used for temporary shelters during bombings and for civilians whose homes had been destroyed. The government, however, discouraged a general "shelter mentality," instead opting for the construction of Anderson shelters--sturdy structures built in back yards which could house up to six people.
The repeated bombings did force the British to upgrade their air defenses, which in turn helped to combat the assaults as well as uplift civilian spirits. Civilians joined many volunteer organizations, such as the Home Guard, Auxiliary Fire Service, and the Blitz Scouts.
Later raids included the retaliatory 1942 Baedeker Blitz, which concentrated on destroying historic, non-strategic structures in Canterbury, Bath, York and Exeter; and the Baby Blitz (Nov. 1943-Jan. 1944), which actually cost Germany the loss of well over 300 aircraft.
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