Life During Wartime Flashcards
When did hitler begin bombing Britain?
September 1940.
When was the most significant period of Nazi bombing?
September 1940 to May 1941.
When was Britain attacked by Hitler’s revenge weapons?
In 1944 and 1945
What were Hitler’s revenge weapons?
V-1 and V-2 rockets.
What were Hitler’s aims in war?
- To force British surrender.
- To break morale.
- To destroy industry, shipyards and railways that would otherwise have supported the war effort.
Whch part of london was the predominant nazi target?
East London.
During what period was London bombed every night?
Between 2 September and 2 November 1940.
How many people were killed and made homeless during the Blitz?
15,000 killed, 250,000 homeless.
When was the worst attack on Coventry?
14th November 1940 (more than 30,000 incendiary bombs dropped).
What was the reaction of the people of Coventry?
Many were so terrified that they fled the city each night.
How quickly did Coventry recommence production after the 14th of November?
Within 5 days.
When was the biggest bombing attack on Liverpool?
The 3rd May 1941, involving over 600 bombers. Fires burned out of control because water mains were hit, while a freighter carrying 1000 tonnes of explosives was hit.
What were the results of attacks on Belfast during April and May 1941?
1,000 people were killed, 1,500 people were injured, and 150,000 people were made homeless.
How many vulnerable people remained in Belfast during bombing?
80,000 people remained in Belfast overall, with 4,000 evacuated.
When and what was the “Clydebank Blitz”?
A heavy bombing attack on the shipbuilding area of Glasgow on the 13 and 14th of March 1941. Around 528 were killed, while 4,000 houses were destroyed and a similar number damaged. 35,000 were made homeless.
Name the strategies implemented by The Swansea Council in preparation for the Blitz.
- Anti-gas training for emergency services.
- An ARP department, volunteer wardens, first aid points and specially designed mortuaries were created in 1938.
- Plans made to dig trenches.
- 500 communal air-raid shelters built.
- 6,549 Anderson style shelters distributed to private homes in March 1939.
When did the bombardment of Swansea begin?
On 27th of June 1940 at 3.30 am, in the Danygraig area. Few casualties were reported. The Luftwaffe didn’t return for eight months.
When and where did the “Three Night Blitz” happen?
On the 19th to 21st February 1941, in Swansea.
Recount the events of the Three Nights Blitz.
A total of 56,000 incendiary bombs were dropped, accounting for 230 deaths and 7,000 homes destroyed.
How many times was Swansea bombarded between 1940 and 1943?
44 times, with 340 deaths.
When did evacuation begin?
1st September 1939, the day that Nazis invaded Poland.
When was the first wave of evacuation?
Between 1939 and 1940.
How many people were evacuated in the first wave?
1.5 million.
What happened to many city schools during evacuation?
They were closed.
Which period was known as the “Phoney War,” during which many evacuees returned?
The period up to Christmas 1939.
When was the second phase of evacuation?
At ther commencement of the Blitz.
When was the final wave of evacuation?
With Hitler’s revenge weapons in 1944.
From which English cities did Wales receive evacuees?
Cities like Liverpool and Birmingham.
Where did some families from Swansea go?
To the Gower.
Was all evacuation planned?
No, with whole families leaving cities, effectively become refugees.
How many tonnes of food did Britain import in 1938 and what proportion of total food was this?
55 million, 75% of total consumption
What proportion of meat was imported?
Over half
When did the government begin planning for wartime food shortages?
1936
How many British merchant ships had Germany sunk by Christmas 1939?
96
What was the worst month for ship sinking?
March 1942, when Germany sank 275 ships
What was the first stage in the rationing process?
National Registration Day (29th September 1939), when all households filled out a form giving details of who lived in their households
How did the rationing system work?
Using coupons
Who became minister for food during the war?
Lord Woolton
What was the points system and when was it introduced?
A type of rationing where everything was assigned a value and people had limited points to spend
What were the first and last food types to be rationed?
Petrol (March 1939) and sweets and chocolate (July 1942)
What charitable war organisation did women sign up to?
The Women’s Voluntary Service (WVS)
What were the names of the women’s armed forces?
WRNS (Women’s Royal Naval Services), WAAF (Women’s Auxiliary Air Force), ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service)
When did the government start to organise women’s war work?
In April 1941, when labour shortages began. By December that year, conscription of women between 19 and 30 was introduced.
How many women were part of the war effort by 1943?
17 million aged between 14 and 64. This was 90% of single women.
How many women worked in the auxiliary services by 1944?
450,000
How many women were killed in the ATS?
335
What kinds of hours did women work in aircraft factories?
A sixteen hour day was typical, seven days a week and without bank holidays
What are some examples of heavy industry that women worked in?
Engineering, mechanics and lorry, train and bus drivers.
What percentage of factory jobs did women occupy by 1943?
57%
How did women compare to men in factories?
Often better
Where were munitions factories built?
In the countryside where there was less risk of bombing making commuting difficult for women
What percent of mens’ wages did women receive for the same job?
Usually 75%
