What precautions were taken during the Blitz?
From 1 September 1939, ‘Blackout’ was enforced. Curtains, cardboard and paint were used to prevent light escaping from houses, offices, factories or shops, which might be used by enemy bombers to locate their targets. Householders could be fined if they did not comply.
What did air raid precautions wear?
At the beginning of the war, ARP wardens had no uniform, but wore their own clothes, with the addition of a steel helmet, Wellington boots and an armband. In May 1941 full-time and regular part-time wardens were issued with blue serge uniforms.
What did the air raid wardens do?
During a raid, wardens were responsible for monitoring and reporting bomb damage, and for helping to coordinate the response of other civil defence services. These eight objects are just some of the things an air raid warden might have needed during the Blitz.
What happened during the blitzkrieg air raids?
The Blitz, (September 7, 1940–May 11, 1941), intense bombing campaign undertaken by Nazi Germany against the United Kingdom during World War II. For eight months the Luftwaffe dropped bombs on London and other strategic cities across Britain.
How much money did the air raid precautions get paid?
From the 1 September 1939 a small percentage of ARP wardens were full-time and were paid a salary (£3 for men, £2 for women), but most were part-time volunteers who carried out their ARP duties as well as full-time jobs.
Where would people go during the Blitz?
Industrial cities and ports were the Luftwaffe’s main targets. Many civilians were offered the chance to relocate to safer parts of the country. In some cities, 60% of children and other ‘priority’ civilians fled their homes at the beginning of the war.
What was the air raid shelter in the garden called?
Anderson shelters
Anderson shelters were named after Sir John Anderson, the lord privy seal in charge of air raid precautions in 1938, and were made from corrugated steel or iron panels that formed a semi-circular shape. They were designed to be dug into people’s gardens to protect families from air raids.
Who could be an air raid warden?
Local councils were responsible for organising all the necessary ARP services in their areas. Although the standard procedures prescribed that the ideal warden should be at least 30 years old, men and women of all ages were wardens.
How much did air raid precautions get paid in World War 2?
By the time the Blitz started in the summer of 1940 full-time ARP personnel were being paid £3 and 5 shillings (£3 5s.) per week; women received £2, 3 shillings and 6 pence (£2 3s. 6d.) Part-time members would have their normal employment salary topped up with a few extra shillings per week.
What would you hear in the blitz?
The sound of aircraft still filled the night skies, but now there was no air raid warning and the sound was the regular beat of the Merlins and Hercules – the engines of our bombers on their way to the enemy. In those days it was the sweet sound of revenge.
When did air raid precautions start in the UK?
Air Raid Precautions (ARP) refers to a number of organisations and guidelines in the United Kingdom dedicated to the protection of civilians from the danger of air raids. Government consideration for air raid precautions increased in the 1920s and 30s, with the Raid Wardens’ Service set up in 1937 to report on bombing incidents.
How did air raid wardens work during the Blitz?
Wardens worked from a network of wardens’ posts, which were connected to higher command by telephone or messenger. When bombing raids occurred, wardens on duty had to monitor and report bomb damage.
What did people do to prepare for air raids?
To combat incendiaries, people were encouraged to volunteer as fire-watchers and to draw up rotas with their neighbours. Air raid wardens issued stirrup pumps and trained people how to use them.
How are air raid precautions based on fallacious view?
The A. R. P. (Air Raid Precautions) defences and expense are founded upon a wholly fallacious view of the degree of danger to each part of the country which they cover. Schedules should be made of the target areas and of the paths of flight by which they may be approached. In these areas there must be a large proportion of whole-time employees.
