the home front

THE HOME FRONT
1939-1945

1. How was everyday life in Britain affected by the wartime conditions with challenges like “the blitz”?

“Blitzkrieg”- lightning war, a swift intensive attack designed to defeat the opposition quickly.
“You must not be taken by surprise”, warned a Ministry of Information leaflet issued as the threat of invasion loomed in Britain. Long before the war broke out families were introduced to gas masks, air-raid drill and bomb shelters, and mass evacuations were planned. The blitz affected the lives of men, women and children. Preparations for the war were stepped up in august 1939. Upon the declaration of war, the BBC broadcasted on the radio that Britain is now in the state of war as the Germans are invading Poland, even though having been given an ultimatum. On the 3rd September at 11.00 the British declared war. Britain was once more at war.

Evacuations soon took place thereafter. Over three million people had...