![]() ![]() Air Raid Precautions Second World War shrapnel damage, Tate Britain, Atterbury Street entrance, London © Jerry Young They are easy to pass by without realising their true history and significance. The following examples still bear enduring witness to the conflict. Today, evidence of the impact of the Second World War on urban, suburban and rural England is hidden in plain sight. ![]() Civilians across the land suffered from rationing, blackouts, mass evacuation of their children, restriction of movement, shortages of goods and services, and nightly refuge in air raid shelters. On Britain’s Home Front, the population was on a war footing: subject to death and destruction from the air, as well as fear of gas attacks and enemy invasion. ![]() ![]() Londoners sought overnight refuge from bombing raids in underground stations © IWM HU94168 In those six years, military deaths on all sides were estimated at 15 million and civilian deaths at 34 million. The world was plunged into a catastrophic conflict that lasted until the formal surrender of Germany’s ally, Japan on 2 September 1945 (though victory over Japan had been celebrated some weeks before the formal documents were signed). As Britain and France had pledged themselves to the defence of Poland, war was inevitable. Hitler had invaded Poland, areas of which had once been part of Germany, two days before and blatantly ignored their ultimatum for an immediate withdrawal. On 3 September 1939, after months of tense diplomatic dialogue and a futile attempt at appeasement, Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand declared war on Nazi Germany. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |