The Blitz The Blitz is the term used
The Blitz
The Blitz is the term used to describe the heavy and frequent bombing attacks on London, and other cities, during WW 2. Night after night, from September 1940 until May 1941, German bombers attacked British cities, ports and industrial areas. London was bombed every day and night, bar one, for 11 weeks. One third of London was destroyed.
Most air raids happened at night. People were warned of a likely air raid by loud sirens, positioned in different parts of towns and cities. During the blitz, they became an almost daily part of life. When people heard the siren they would stop what they were doing and make for a shelter.
People needed to protect themselves from the bombs being dropped by German aircraft. Families without a garden, who hadn’t built a shelter in their home, would go to the local community shelter. For many who lived in London, this would be their local underground station.
To help protect civilians from the danger of air-raids, Air Raid Precautions (ARP) wardens were organised by the national government and delivered by the local authorities. The warden’s main purpose was to patrol the streets during the blackout and to ensure that no light was visible. They also handed out gas masks and air raid shelters (such as Anderson shelters, as well as Morrison shelters), and organised and staffed public air raid shelters.
Cards like this were sent to every home. They told people what to do if there was an air raid.
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