A “Blackout” was when the government ordered the whole cities lights to be switched off to stop the Nazi bombers from pinpointing their targets. Streetlights and neon lights were all turned off. Not any light could be visible so bombers didn’t know where to drop their bombs. The intention of the British was that the Bombers would not hit as many places with the lights off than on. Although there was a problem with this because the car accidents had gone up by 100%, lots of people were getting injured since they fell down from stairs and bumped into things.
Anti-Aircraft Weapons were set up around the whole of London to shoot down German planes. They were mainly used during the night when it was dark and lots of people were asleep. Batteries of guns were set up on specially reinforced sites all over London. When a group of them fired together the noise was extremely loud the force of these guns were extremely powerful.
Shelters
Anderson air raid shelters were the most widely used domestic shelter during the Second World War, but the corrugated iron which formed the roofs of the shelters were collected by the authorities at the end of the war, so very few now remain. However, the shelter at the back of one house in Vauxhall is still in good condition, including the frames of the bunk beds on which people rested.
The was introduced in March 1941, for people without gardens. The shelter, made from heavy steel, could also be used as a table. People sheltered underneath it during a raid. The Morrison shelter was named after the Minister for Home Security, Mr. Herbert Morrison.
The Morrison shelter was approximately 6 feet 6 inches (2m) long, 4 feet (1.2m) wide and 2 feet 6 inches (0.75m) high.
On September 21, 1940 the London Underground started to be used as an air raid shelter. On the busiest night in 1940, 177,000 people slept on platforms. Many bought sandwiches, thermos flasks, pillows and blankets.
The Home Guard
On 14th May 1940 the government was in desperation for defending their country and a real risk of invasion. Churchill had broadcasted messages to form the home guard. The men were given military style training and, at first, they had no uniforms and little equipment. The public were invited to give their shotguns and pistols to the Home Guard and within a few months over 20,000 weapons were handed in. Many of the men made their own weapons too.
The government was expecting 150,000 men to volunteer for the Home Guard. But at the end of July there were over one million men.
Land Girls
Before World War 2 women were expected to be housewives but that had changed life for women forever during the Second World War. When men went to fight, women were called upon to fill their jobs, and this included many jobs that were previously thought of unsuitable for women. They worked as plumbers, drove fire engines and worked on farms as 'Land Girls' and in aircraft and munitions factories.
The country had required lots of food there for the war and everybody taking part. Therefore men couldn’t grow crops because they were fighting in the war. Therefore the government made women do this job.
‘The Women’s Land Army’ was set up in June 1939.
Food Rationing
Since the U-boat had been destroyed with the food the UK had imported. People were really requiring food since there was quite a shortage. the British government set up a committee of nutritional experts to advise the War Cabinet on a strategic food policy. The committee issued a report with the effect that each person in Britain could easily survive on:-
- twelve ounces of bread
- six ounces of vegetables
- a pound of potatoes
- two ounces of oatmeal
Winston Churchill however was convinced that this was not a good idea and would lead to ill feeling amongst the people.
Instead it was decided to introduce a system of food rationing on fair shares for everyone policy.
Food prices were fixed at a standard rate so there was no over-charging, in order that the poorer people would not go without. Everyone was expected to adhere to rationing, including the Royal Family.
Clothes Rationing
It wasn't just food that was rationed during World War II. Clothing also became scarce.
The war made it almost impossible to import cloth and other materials from abroad and the clothing manufacturers in Britain had more important items to make for the war effort, such as uniforms, parachutes and other items needed in the battle against Germany.
And so, beginning on the 1st June 1941, Clothing ration(coupon) books were issued to every man woman and child in Britain. year
Each person was allowed a maximum of 66 coupons per year, which was equivalent to 1 complete outfit per
Dig for victory
In October 1939 the Government launched the ‘The Dig for Victory’ campaign. People were urged to use gardens and every spare piece of land, such as parks, golf clubs and tennis courts, to grow vegetables.
Make do and Mend
Women were encouraged to repair and remake their family's old clothes. Old curtains were cut up to make skirts and dresses. Unwanted jumpers were unravelled and knitted into something else. Make up and stockings were hard to come by. Some women would draw a line down the back of each leg and pretend they were wearing stockings.
Women weren’t allowed any fancy things they just made things from what ever they could use.
Salvage
Housewives were asked to put their Salvage into four separate containers.
• Tins and Metal - For aircraft and tanks, weapons etc.
• Boiled Bones - To make glue for aircraft and glycerine for explosives.
• Kitchen Waste - For feeding pigs, goats and chickens.
• Paper - for munitions. (The newspapers of WWII were printed on a poor quality paper to save on paper)
• Rubber - for tyres.
Black Market
The Black Market was where people could go and illegally buy food and extra clothes. People were only allowed a certain amount but since the public wanted more they went and purchased more stuff from the Black Market.
Spies and Secrecy
Spies were very important during the Second World War since they had found out all the secrets about the enemies. They were quite a lot of women and their jobs were very risky. If they got caught they would be tormented.
By Rahul Rohra 3S
