London And wW2 (1939-45) - Impact On Civilian Life Flashcards
Air-raid precautions
- Underground stations were opened due to public demand for deep shelters
- conditions gradually improved and beds were set up
- although the public felt safer in underground stations, some were hit by bombs
Problems with communal shelters
They were often overcrowded.
A commitee was formed by a local optician to run the local shelter ‘mickey shelters’ - providing cleaning, beds, GP services and a canteen
What happened in march 1941
The morrison shelter came in
The South Hallsville School disaster, 1940
1000 homeless londoners were staying at South Hallsville school on 10th September 1940 when it was hit by a bombing raid. They had been due to evacuate the day before. The reporting of the incident was banned because of the impact on morale
The Bethnal Green disaster, 1943
After a heavy allied raid over Germany, 1500 people used the bethnal green tube shelter as they expected a revenge attack. New anti-aircraft rockets were fired from nearby, causing panic and 173 people died trampling one another trying to get to safety
What leisure activites were continued during the war?
- cinema - wartime audiences increased by more than half; a usefull tool for promoting propaganda
- dance halls
- football - crowds were limited to 8000 and professionals played in exhibition matches
- theatre - late afternoon performances and government-subsidised lunch concerts proved popular
Why did class tensions intensify?
Class tensions intensified as the working class suffered most. The underground were focused in the richer west-end and thousands went there for shelter
Why did class tensions ease?
German bombers shifted their focus
Government and morale
- The government censored the information released to the public.
- Propaganda campaigns (films, newsreels and posters) were used to boost morale, encourage ‘safe’ behaviour, increase support for the war, and warn against spies.
Distruption to daily life and work
- rationing of food and clothes was introduced
- unexploded bombs kept people away from their homes until safe
- bombing distrupted gas, electricity and water supply
- limited transport and night-time blackouts made travel and getting to work difficult
Why did the population of inner london fall?
People moved to safer areas
What was the role of civil defence volunteers?
They dealt with death and horrific injuries on a massive scale
What were Anderson shelters?
Air raid shelters were used to protect people from bombing
Features of Anderson shelters
Made up of sheets of corrugated iron
Shelter was dug into a 4ft deep pit
Families would live in Anderson shelters
Anderson shelters could hold up to 4-6 people
Protected people from bombing
