On 3rd September 1939, the Prime Minister – Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, made the following announcement to the country…
“This morning the British Ambassador in Berlin handed the German Government a final Note stating that unless we heard from them by 11 0’clock that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland, a state of war would exist between us. I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received, and that consequently this country is at war with Germany”
And so Britain was at war with Germany! George and his friends watch as everything around them starts to change.
Gas masks, identity cards and blackouts – there are new rules everywhere. Even the coal man’s horse has its own gas mask!
Streets are full of people getting ready, from soldiers and air raid wardens to the Home Guard, who march up and down with broomsticks instead of rifles!
George notices strange concrete huts called pillboxes being built all over town. “There’s even one by the canal,” he says, “so if the enemy invades on a narrowboat, we’ll be ready!” But when he gets too close—“GEROUTOFIT!”—a worker shouts at him to stay back!
At Mrs. Mink’s shop, there are new things on the shelves – blackout tape, tiny stoves for air raid shelters, even bomb scoops! People are buying anything they think will help keep them safe.
Outside, George bumps into Peter, who has exciting news, a barrage balloon has broken loose! These big balloons, held down by steel cables, are meant to stop enemy planes from flying too low, but sometimes they drift away.
Embed from Getty ImagesLife is changing fast. The cinemas are shut, and even football matches are cancelled so players can join the army.
Everyone has to observe a blackout after dusk – that’s keeping everything as dark as can be at night so the enemy can’t spot their targets.
Peter is a member of the Scouts and is helping by painting kerb stones along the roads white so cars can see where to drive during blackouts. The Scouts and Girl Guides are also training in first aid, mechanics and even using radios!
Back home, George wonders if his father will join the army. But his dad, an engineer, explains that he’s needed to help the war effort from home and he’s also a volunteer Air Raid Precautions (ARP) warden! These volunteers, often with day jobs, were responsible for policing the blackout, ensuring people were in shelters, and assisting with emergency response and rescue after air raids.
Embed from Getty ImagesGeorge writes in his journal…
“It might sound strange but those early days were almost exciting – everyone pulling together to prepare. By the end of 1940, over 53,000 scouts had trained to undertake over 170 war service jobs, like collecting waste, acting as messengers and even being stretcher-bearers. Across the country thousands of Air Raid Precautions staff were recruited, including wardens, first aiders volunteer firemen. But all the while, not a single bomb fell… yet.”
Next time… the Blitz Kids find themselves part of Operation Pied Piper and are being evacuated to different parts of the UK. Where are they going… and when will they return?
Do this…
Design a blackout poster and make your own air raid shelter here.
Can you spot this?
This faint sign pointing to a underground shelter can be found in Lord North Street, just of Smiths Square in Westminster.
You can find this pill box at Putney Bridge station!