The Blitz

Question 1

When did the Blitz take place?

Answer 1

September 1940 - 10 May 1941

Question 2

What were the two main aims of the Blitz?

Answer 2

1) To break the morale of the British people

2) To destroy transport and industry that helped the war effort (e.g. the docks in east London)

Question 3

When did Coventry experience its most severe bombing?

Answer 3

14 November 1940

Question 4

How many bombs were dropped on Coventry and what impact did this have?

Answer 4

30,000 incendiary (fire) bombs were dropped, destroying most of the city

Question 5

Which city was the main focus of German attacks?

Answer 5

London

Question 6

During what period was London bombed every night?

Answer 6

2 September 1940 - 2 November 1940

Question 7

Which cities in the North West were attacked?

Answer 7

Liverpool and Manchester

Question 8

How many people were killed in London?

Answer 8

15,000 were killed

Question 9

How many people in London were made homeless by the Blitz?

Answer 9

250,000 were made homeless

Question 10

How many people were killed in the UK?

Answer 10

60,000

Question 11

How many homes did the Blitz destroy?

Answer 11

3 million home were destroyed

Question 12

Did the Blitz damage British morale?

Answer 12

There is some evidence that morale was damaged, particularly early on. However, the overall impact was to make people more determined to keep fighting the war.

Question 13

When did the government begin to distribute Anderson shelters?

Answer 13

February 1939 (in anticipation of a German bombing campaign)

Question 14

Overall, how many Anderson shelters were distributed?

Answer 14

400,000

Question 15

What was the difference between a Morrison shelter and a Anderson shelter?

Answer 15

• Anderson shelters were outside (large concrete shelters with curved roofs)
• Morrison shelters were steel cages which fitted under a dining table, without enough space for two adults and two small children

Question 16

What percentage of Londoners stayed in their homes during the Blitz?

Answer 16

60 per cent stayed in their homes

Question 17

Why did many people not like Anderson shelters?

Answer 17

It meant sleeping outside

Question 18

What was one of the first Underground stations opened to the public as a shelter?

Answer 18

Bethnal Green (in the East End)

Question 19

Why was the East End of London targeted by the Germans?

Answer 19

The East End was targeted because the docks were located there, as were many factories

Question 20

Why did people prefer underground stations as shelters?

Answer 20

• They were sociable
• They could share in the common threat
• Voluntary associations began to provide hot drinks

Question 21

What was the Local Defence Volunteers better known as?

Answer 21

The Home Guard

Question 22

When was the Home Guard set up?

Answer 22

July 1940

Question 23

Who generally joined the Home Guard?

Answer 23

Older men (up to aged 65). Often men who had previously been in the army,

Question 24

What were the Home Guard’s main roles?

Answer 24

• Patrol beaches
• Perform sentry duties
• Round up German pilots who had been shot down

Question 25

Why was the Blackout introduced?

Answer 25

So that German bombers would find it more difficult to find London from the sky at night

Question 26

How many people died in December 1939 as a result of the blackout?

Answer 26

1500 (3 times pre-war level)