AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS AND CIVIL DEFENCE
ARP
badge hallmarked 1939
A corp of ARP volunteers was established throughout Britain starting in 1938 -- Air Raid Wardens, Observers (plane spotters), Fire Watchers, Rescue Workers, Messengers, etc. A small percentage of the Air Raid Wardens were full-time and paid a small stipend. ARP volunteers were drawn from the civilian population at large and underwent intensive training relating to their duties. In general, they performed with great skill, bravery and distinction throughout the war. Much additional information relating to Air Raid Precautions, Air Raid Wardens and other volunteers can be found at: THE MIDNIGHT WATCH - Air Raid Precautions
Manchester Air Raid Warden identification
card
The most visible ARP volunteers were the Air Raid Wardens who were invested with the authority to enforce blackout regulations, determine Air Raid alert status and establish shelter assignments. They also assisted the regular Police force (which performed such admirable and exemplary service throughout the war) as needed. Air Raid Wardens were equipped with helmets ("Tin Hats") marked "W", arm bands, whistles and rattles (gas attack warning).
Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) badge
The Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) was established and organized in London in June 1938. It was obvious to the authorities that the regular Fire Department would be overwhelmed during air raids, especially when incendiary bombs were used. After the experiences of the London Blitz in 1940, the service was expanded nation wide under the provisions of the National Fire Service Act (Emergency Provisions). All the major industrial cities, and practically every town of any size, in Britain had its own Auxiliary Fire Service. The AFS -- in city after city -- demonstated its ability and dedication in concert with the regular fire service throughout the war. The regular Fire Service also performed with great dedication and distinction throughout the war. Much additional information relating to the Auxiliary Fire Service organization and function can be found at: THE MIDNIGHT WATCH - Auxiliary Fire Service
WVS
Civil Defence badge
The Women's Voluntary Service (WVS) performed yeoman service during air raids -- and in their aftermath -- throughout the war: they provided invaluable support to rescue workers at disaster scenes following air raids, often participating in dangerous rescue operations themselves. Their mobile canteens provided sustenance -- hot drinks and food -- for the firemen and rescue workers day and night; they provided first aid and care as needed; they assisted destitute survivors in obtaining shelter and putting their lives back together. Several hundred WVS volunteers lost their lives or were severely injured during air raids. Women in general - some in their role as ordinary housewives -- sacrificed much, and contributed greatly to the homefront effort throughout the war. Additional information relating to Women in War and their various roles and functions can be found at: THE MIDNIGHT WATCH - Women in War
Air Raid Siren warnings -- wavering for alert, steady for all clear -- were a part of our daily existence during the early days of the war. Another aspect of Civil Defence was the placement of batteries of barrage balloons (to deter low flying aircraft), searchlights and anti-aircraft guns around large cities, military installations and strategically important facilities.
The Government supplied Anderson shelters to households with gardens (usually shared by two households) in the form of corrugated galvanized steel kits (including nuts and bolts) - free to those with lower incomes and for a small fee for those with higher incomes. Householders were responsible for assembly and installation. The earth that was excavated during preparation of the shelter site (a depth of four feet) was used to cover the erected shelter to the recommended thickness of approximately eighteen inches.
Sketch, from memory, of Anderson
shelter
There were numerous complaints of Anderson shelters soon becoming flooded or being plagued with inadequate drainage and various measures were taken to overcome this such as installing sump pumps, a ventilation pipe & wooden floor pallets. Most were eventually fitted with hand fabricated wooden doors and simple bunk beds and provisioned with snack food, lanterns and a first aid kit. Anderson shelters in general proved their worth in Air Raids offering full protection against all but direct bomb hits. Many families who did not have a garden were supplied with a kit-built steel cage Morrison shelter that could double as a sturdy table in the house. Like the Anderson shelter, the Morrison provided protection against all but direct bomb hits. Another household shelter option was to modify and strengthen the pantry which was located under the stairs in some houses (considered to be a very safe location). The Government made available suggested modification plans.
Outdoor reinforced brick surface shelters were also provided for use by multiple families and individuals caught in air raids on the street away from their homes. This type of shelter was often erected on school play grounds. Some schools were provided with extensive reinforced concrete shelters covered with earth in much the same manner as Anderson shelters. Towneley Senior School (which I attended) had such a shelter -- we installed a Victory vegetable garden on top that the students cultivated as a school project. Commercial buildings with substantial or reinforced basements were designated as emergency or general use air raid shelters. Much additional information relating to Air Raid Shelter design, installation and use (including photos) can be found at:
THE MIDNIGHT WATCH - Air Raid Shelters
Adult
Civilian Gas Mask
We were all issued gas masks by the Government in 1938 -- specially configured ones for babies and small infants ("Mickey Mouse" design). School children were trained in their use by teachers during Air Raid drills in the school shelters. Mothers received free instruction in using baby and infant gas masks at their local ARP Warden Post. Although the adult masks came in a plain cardboard carry box with a string shoulder "strap", it wasn't long before people were buying and using plastic covers (sometimes with colorful designs) with wide carrying straps -- or cylindrical tins to carry them in. Initially everybody was required to carry their gas mask with them wherever they went (they were a pain in the cinemas) and you would be stopped by Policemen and Air Raid Wardens if they spotted you without your gas mask. As the war progressed a more relaxed attitude prevailed and gas mask carrying became almost an option for adults. Schoolchildren, however, were required to carry their gas masks until late in the war. Although there was great fear of poison gas attacks on the civilian population, none occurred during WW2.
A nighttime blackout was instituted as soon as war broke out. All windows and doorways in public buildings and private houses had to be sealed off using heavy curtains, blinds, cardboard, or by painting over, etc., so that not even chinks of light could escape. Violators were subject to heavy fines if caught by Police or Air Raid Wardens. Just about all street lights were turned off -- the very few that were lighted were greatly dimmed and deflected downward. Dim bulbs were now used in automobile, bus and commercial vehicle lamps and they were fitted with slotted covers that directed the light downward.
Typical mid-war newspaper blackout
notice
Traffic signal lenses were also fitted with "+" slotted covers that required extra vigilence in following the signal light changes. The cabs of railway train engines were outfitted with overhead canvas covers which blocked the glow of the fire. Train passenger coach windows and public transportation bus windows were equipped with heavy black pull-down curtains or simply painted over. Because of the pervading darkness caused by the blackout, most people carried flashlights -- they were almost essential when walking on side streets, sometimes even on major thoroughfares, to avoid tripping or bumping into people and objects. The lenses on all flashlights were required to be partially blocked off and they could only be used pointed toward the ground. Initially, numerous people were injured due to walking into objects, tripping over curbs and falling due to unexpected drop offs. This led to a Government campaign to paint lamp posts, traffic signal posts, tree trunks, mail boxes, street curbs and other potential hazards with broad white (sometimes flourescent) horizontal bands in order to make them somewhat more visible at night. At first there were numerous motor vehicle traffic accidents (including struck pedestrians) due to the extremely diminished nighttime visibility and illumination. However, increased awareness -- plus the imposition of drastically reduced speed limits and the general unavailability of petrol -- eventually reduced this problem considerably.
As war approached, children were evacuated to various "safe" locations -- first from London, then from centers of industrial production and airfield locations. In the summer of 1939 one of my aunts housed two evacuated boys from Kent who were around my age and they were assigned to my school. We got along together pretty well -- we played together daily, went to the cinema weekly and organized a Lancashire vs Kent cricket match (local lads versus the evacuees). They soon returned to their homes in Kent, however -- that seemed to have happened quite a lot -- homesickness and family love overcame the threat of bombing. However, the Government continued to encourage evacuation from major industrial cities -- especially London. Families that housed evacuees were provided extra food and clothing allowances but were not reimbursed for incidental living expenses.
Burnley was involved in a decoy/subterfuge scheme in WW2 as were other locations in Great Britain. The Government literally created "Manchester on the Moors" -- the idea was to build a fake or simulated industrial complex in a remote area, but in close proximity to Manchester and on the Luftwaffe bombing run approach (which Burnley was) thereby enticing the bombardiers to drop their load there. A large expanse of desolate moor land to the south of Burnley, in the vicinity of Crown Point, was set aside -- cordoned off and guarded 24 hours a day -- and a good sized mock industrial complex of plywood structures erected. Each of these mockups contained a single electric light bulb and enough discreet chinks were provided to wink an attractive target from the air at night. I believe this elaborate decoy was erected and activated sometime in early 1940.
The construction, maintenance and guarding was accomplished by a detachment of RAF all of whom were from Ulster, Northern Ireland, who were voluntarily billeted with local residents living on the southern fringes of Burnley. One of my auntie's housed two of them in their home (the government provided special ration allowances) -- they became good friends of the family and maintained contact with us after the war. The decoy scheme wasn't very successful -- I only recall a couple of stray bombs being dropped on "Manchester on the Moors" during the entire war. However, the decoy may have confused the aircraft navigators resulting in them dropping their bombs off target.