AIR RAID!

WhatWhat is an air raid? WhereWhere did they happen? HowHow did people protect themselves? WhatWhat did the government do?

What is an air raid? BACK Each night, signal planes dropped incendiary bombs (or fire bombs) designed as signals for the bomber planes. After the incendiary bombs, came the high explosives. Air raids occurred throughout the war. An air raid was a bombing strike from the air. The British air force (the RAF) and German air force (called the Luftwaffe) were involved, and both countries suffered heavy casualties during the air raids. The sustained bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941 is known as the Blitz. ‘Blitz’ is a shortened term for the German word ‘Blitzkrieg’ or ‘Lightning War’

Where did they happen? BACK Some residential areas were struck, but mostly bombers targeted places that were important to the war effort, like military sites, factories, airports and ship yards. The first German air attack took place in London on the evening of 7 September Within months, Liverpool, Birmingham, Coventry, Glasgow and other cities were hit too. When the Blitz started, London was bombed for 57 consecutive nights. By the end of May 1941, over 43,000 civilians, half of them in London, had been killed by bombing and more than a million houses destroyed or damaged in London alone.

What did the government do? BACK

The BLACKOUT! Everyone had to cover their windows. and doors at night (before sunset) with heavy. blackout curtains, cardboard or paint, to prevent any.. glimmer of light from escaping and aiding enemy aircraft during the bombing raids. Britain was blacked out on 1st September Thousands of people were injured or died in road accidents because of the lack of lighting. White stripes were painted on the roads and on lamp-posts. Men were even advised to leave their shirt-tails hanging out to be seen by cars! Street lights were turned off or dimmed. Traffic lights and vehicle headlights were fitted with slotted covers to deflect the beam down to the ground. BACK

How did people protect themselves? BACK When the Luftwaffe approached, local Air Raid Wardens arranged for the sounding of sirens. People were now expected to immediately take cover before the raid actually started. Another siren was played to announce that it was safe to leave the air raid shelters.

Gas Masks To warn people of a gas attack, the air raid wardens would sound the gas rattle. To sound all-clear they would ring a bell. Everyone in Britain was given a gas mask in a cardboard box, to protect them from gas bombs, which could be dropped during air raids. 38 million gas masks were given out by September They were never to be needed. There were several different kinds of gas mask. Children were given masks which resembled Mickey Mouse to comfort them. There were even gas masks for babies.

Seeking Shelter As soon as war was declared, every family. with a garden received an air raid shelter. (Called an Anderson Shelter). They were. damp, uncomfortable, and were often. overcrowded. Families could also choose an indoor shelter, called a Morrison Shelter. Many schools also had bomb shelters - but schoolwork didn’t have to stop! In the winter of 1940, many Londoners slept in the underground rail stations. Why do you think people might prefer a Morrison Shelter? Which shelter do you think seems safer? Why do you think they did this?

What do you think?

What happened in Germany? In Germany the bombing was equally as damaging. Incendiary bombs caused great destruction, causing firestorms. Hamburg was one such place that suffered a firestorm in 1943 as did Dresden in February German cities were attacked during the war: 3.6 million homes were destroyed 7.5 million people became homeless