|
Martin Way gave us a very nostalgic talk about the Home Front of the 2nd world War. He started by defining the reason that civilians were forced into being in the front-line of hostilities as being the increase of technology which meant that the bombing of homeland cities was possible.
This possibility had been considered as early as 1924 when an Air Raid Precaution (A.R.P.) Subcommittee was set up under Sir John Anderson. During 1935 the MOD bought up land throughout the country, including Oxfordshire, for use as airfields. On Jan 1st 1938 the Air Raid Act allowed the recruitment, and training, of wardens. Wills cigarettes produced a card series on the ARP. The education of the public on what to do in the event of air raids was started with many posters being produced.
The invasion of the Sudetenland in September 1938 saw an increase in preparations with the distribution of gas masks in particular and blackout regulations and practices. Plans were drawn up for the evacuation of children from major cities, plans put into effect in Sept 1939 when some 2 million children were relocated in two days.
The original "Dad's Army", the Local Defence Volunteers, was set up mostly of teenagers and older men not already in the ARP. Sign posts were removed and obstacles placed in field which might allow enemy planes to land. Pillboxes were built at strategic points; bridges, crossroads etc., an Upper Thames river patrol unit was created with motor boats patrolling. Anderson and Morrison shelters were made available to provide some measure of protection in an air raid.
While all this was going on people went on with their lives. Work continued but now women were more involved. The Women's Land Army was formed and girls found themselves on farms.
Everything was recycled into the war effort. Pots and pans, iron railings, waste paper, rags were all collected and used in producing materials rather than relying on using new raw materials. Saving schemes were started and 'Make-Do-And-Mend' was the watchword. Everyone was encouraged to produce their own food where possible with a slogan of 'Dig For Victory' while rationing was introduced to make what was available from normal sources was shared out.
|
