Evacuation Flashcards
Why was evacuation introduced?
The British Government expected that the Germans would bomb Britain from the air so it took precautions to protect its civilians from bombings and gas attacks.
How were children protected?
Evacuated from the likeliest targets – the cities – into the countryside.
When was the first evacuation announced?
31st August 1939, the day before Hitler invaded Poland.
When did evacuation begin?
1st September 1939
What were parents views on evacuation?
Parents were told what the children needed to take with them and where they were to assemble for evacuation. Many parents were reluctant to be separated from their children but did accept that they would be safer.
What happened to school as a result of evacuation?
Many city schools were closed and many teachers went with the children to the countryside to continue teaching them.
What happened in the countryside?
At their destinations, the evacuees gathered in village or school halls where they were chosen by the foster family they were to live with.
Why did people return to the city?`
Homesickness and the ‘Phoney War’ saw many children drift back to the cities by Christmas 1939.
How did some children benefit from evacuation?
Some children were very happy. They helped on farms and had far better diets than they had done before they also got to experience country life for the first time, especially enjoying green fields, orchards and farm animals.
How was evacuation successful?
Thousands were moved to the safety of the countryside and away from the bombing and it enabled mothers to take on vital war work.
How did evacuation help in the long term?
Evacuation encouraged further social reform as it highlighted the poor condition of many children from the inner cities.
How was evacuation unsuccessful?
Many mothers and children returned to their homes during the ‘Phoney War’ and had to be evacuated again.
How did poor organisation effect the process?
The administration of evacuees was often chaotic with a mismatch in numbers of evacuees and foster homes.
Evacuees were also usually separated from their families and siblings.
How did some children suffer from evacuation?
Some children had a miserable time. They were resented as a burden by their foster families and they missed their own families, far away in the cities. Some were badly treated or exploited and some children experienced bullying by children already living in the countryside.
How did some people in the country feel towards evacuation?
Many country families were shocked that they had to deal with children who wet their beds and had no experience of using a knife and fork.
There was some evidence that some people tried to avoid taking evacuees.
Evacuees were not used to rural life and there was a clash between city and country values.
