Summer Of 1941 German Bombers example essay topic

The Impact of War at Home When war was declared, there were no celebrations. Instead the government took immediate action, and emergency powers, everyone was issued with gas masks in 1938. The bombing power of the Germans was something that was feared greatly by those that remembered the first war, and by the government, who knew that German bombers were now very advanced. Between the 1st and 3rd of September over one million people were evacuated, as the government were particularly worried about immediate bombing of built up and industrial areas. The majority of evacuees were children from poorer homes in larger cities. Their lives changed dramatically, they had to move to a whole new world in the country.

However, as from September 1939 - May 1940 was the Phoney War, meaning no bombs were dropped, almost half the evacuees had been returned by the beginning of The Blitz, many of which had to be evacuated again. Mothers could accompany children under 5, but any child older then that was housed by foster parents, who received an allowance from the government. Children who were evacuated had good and bad experiences, depending on what their foster homes were like. Preparations had been made for the expected bombing, bombers were more accurate now then in the first war and the government prepared people by building bomb shelters and setting up volunteer organisations to deal with the air raid threat. There were 1.5 million Anderson shelters given away by September 1939, which were put in gardens and covered up. There were also over one million Morrison Shelters issued in 1941, a Morrison Shelter was a steel mesh box to contain a mattress, and could be kept in the living room.

Air raid wardens and Auxiliary fire services were trained in Air Raid Precautions, the blackout was imposed, as were Anti Aircraft guns and Barrage Balloons to force bombers higher, sirens were put up to warn of attack and the WVS was set up to help women with injuries and comfort. Britain managed to survive The Blitz. Government films and statements only showed the bravery and fighting spirit of the civilians and reports were censored if they gave numbers or photographs of the dead. The major target areas for the Germans during The Blitz were London, Birmingham, Bristol, Merseyside, Southampton, Sheffield, Cardiff, Hull, Plymouth, Belfast, Clyde side and Coventry. In the summer of 1941 German bombers were needed for the invasion of the USSR and The Blitz came to an end, though air raids continued and by Summer 1941 more civilians had been killed in the War then British soldiers.

Soon, German U-boat submarines started to sink merchant ships bringing goods to British ports, which meant a shortage of supplies throughout Britain. Better radar to aid detection, new and more powerful depth charges, long range bombers to attack submarines and a convoy system with Royal Navy Protection helped to counter the threat. However in January 1940, shortages led to rationing. The government set up a Ministry Of Food, to control the supplies and advise the public. Scientists decided on healthy diets, using non rationed foods, particularly vegetables and brown bread. Although the Black Market flourished in many places, most people believed rationing was fair, with extra rations for pregnant women, nursing mothers and babies.

As well as food, there were also shortages of other goods, and control of raw materials in manufacturing. In fact, the government controlled everything from jobs to eating habits in order to win the war. Men between 18 and 41 were called up to fight, with the exception of those in vital jobs. However, conscientious objectors were not forced to sign up. Britain became the first nation in modern history to call up women for war work in industry, The Land Army or the services in 1941.

Many people volunteered to help the war effort at home as air raid wardens, firemen, ambulance drivers and nurses. Everyone in the country was committed to "doing their bit" to destroy Hitler and Fascism. By 1943 the allies were winning the supply battle, because as the U-Boat threat diminished, so did the problem. However there was a huge inflation and prices had gone up by 50% between 1939 and 1941.