Evacuation project By Poppy J WW2 Evacuation project By Poppy J

Contents Evacuation 2. Ration cards 3. Black out 4. Gas masks 5. My letter to home 6. 1940s fashion 7. Air Raid shelters 8. The home front

Evacuation .During the Second World War, many children living in big cities and towns were moved temporarily from their homes to places considered safer, usually out in the countryside. When did evacuations take place in Britain? The British evacuation began on Friday 1 September 1939. It was called 'Operation Pied Piper'. Between 1939 - 1945 there were three major evacuations in preparation of the German Luftwaffe bombing Britain. The first official evacuations began on September 1 1939, two days before the declaration of war. By January 1940 almost 60% had returned to their homes. A second evacuation effort was started after the Germans had taken over most of France. From June 13 to June 18, 1940, around 100,000 children were evacuated (in many cases re-evacuated). When the Blitz began on 7 September 1940, children who had returned home or had not been evacuated were evacuated. By the end of 1941, city centres, especially London, became safer.

Ration cards To make the British weak, the Germans tried to cut off supplies of food and other goods. German submarines attacked many of the ships that brought food to Britain. Before the war, Britain imported 55 million tons of food, a month after the war had started this figure had dropped to 12 million. The Ration Book became the key to survival for nearly every household in Britain. Every member of the public was issued with a ration book.

Blackout What was The Blackout?During the war, everyone had to cover their windows and doors at night (before sunset) with heavy blackout curtains, cardboard or paint. Britain was blacked out on 1st September 1939, two days before the outbreak of war. vent any glimmer of light from escaping and aiding enemy aircraft during the bombing raids. What about other sources of light during the blackout. Were they covered too? Street lights were switched off or dimmed and shielded to deflect the light downward. Traffic lights and vehicle headlights were fitted with slotted covers to deflect the beam down to the floor. What effect did the Blackout have on people's lives ? Thousands of people died in road accidents. The number of road accidents increased because of the lack of street lighting and the dimmed traffic lights. To help prevent accidents white stripes were painted on the roads and on lamp-posts. People were encouraged to walk facing the traffic and men were advised to leave their shirt-tails hanging out so that they could be seen by cars with dimmed headlights. Other people were injured during the Blackout because they could not see in the darkness. Many people were injured tripping up, falling down steps, or bumping into things.  

Gas masks Gas had been used a great deal in the First World War and many soldiers had died or been injured in gas attacks. Mustard gas was the most deadly of all the poisonous chemicals used during World War I. It was almost odourless (could not be smelt easily) and took 12 hours to take effect. It was so powerful that only small amounts needed to be added to weapons like high explosive shells to have devastating effects. There was a fear that it would be used against ordinary people at home in Britain . Posters Posters reminded people to carry their gas mask at all times. People were fined if they were caught without their gas masks.

My letter to home Dear mama and papa, It’s alright away from home but i still miss you both so much. There’s not much to do we either play hide and seek listen to the radio on cold days or go to school. I have made lots of new friends and also some from when we were in london. I am missing you so much . Yours sincerely, POPPY xx

1940s fashion Pre-War and Post-War 1940s Fashion Trends A shift in dress happened from during WWII to after the war ended. The styles of this time signified the darkness of this particular time in history. One of the most significant examples of wartime fashion are the uniforms worn by military members and their brides. The groom would usually wear his service uniform and the bride would wear something that today’s time would consider a simple office skirt suit.

Air - Raid shelters The first German air attack took place in London on the evening of 7 September 1940. Within months, Liverpool, Birmingham, Coventry and other cities were hit too. Why were Air Raid Shelters built? People needed to protect themselves from the bombs being dropped by German aircraft. As the night raids became so frequent, many people who were tired of repeatedly interrupting their sleep to go back and forth to the shelters, virtually took up residence in a shelter. Anderson Shelters What were Anderson Shelters? These shelters were half buried in the ground with earth heaped on top to protect them from bomb blasts.

The home front Britain was called the 'Home Front', because people felt that they were part of the war. The war effected everyone whether they were on the front line (in Europe) or on the home front (back in Britain). Not everyone went to fight, but everyone helped in the 'war effort' in some way or other. Find out how women help on the home front.

Diary Entry Dear diary, I miss my mum so bad, I cry to sleep at night I don’t want to tell mum but I’m to scared. Its alright except the lav is outside and the water is from a well. I love the people who I am staying with but I hate her husband he's horrible shhh don’t tell him. Thanks for listening POPPYxx

Quiz time Why were Air Raid shelters built? . To eat a banana . To protect themselves from German aircraft . To keep cat away Why was britian called’ home front ‘ . Because it had homes . People live there . Because people felt like they were part of the war

Thanks for watching By Poppy