London and WW2

Question 1

Why was London a bombing target?

Answer 1

East End - factories, warehouses, docks,
Westminster - Buckingham Palace, Parliament,
The City of London - Bank of England, stock and telephone exchange
The suburbs - densely populated

Question 2

Preparations for War

Answer 2

The LCC organised Fire, Ambulance and heavy rescue services for the poor,
Gas masks were given to all Londoners,
ARP wardens,
Civil Defence volunteers (Jan 1939),
Ministry of Information created to control propaganda (Sep 1939),
Blackout (1st Sep 1939)

Question 3

Types of Shelter

Answer 3

Anderson shelter,
Morrison shelter,
Surface shelter,
Tube stations,
Basements

Question 4

Features of Anderson Shelters

Answer 4

1.5 million, cost £7, free for those earning <£250, made of corrugated iron and steel

Question 5

Features of Morrison Shelters

Answer 5

for people without gardens, protected people from collapsing houses

Question 6

Features of Surface Shelters

Answer 6

was very vulnerable to bombs

Question 7

When did evacuation begin?

Answer 7

1st September 1939

Question 8

Why were people evacuated

Answer 8

Germany was capable of killing 58,000 in a first attack

Question 9

Number of evacuees

Answer 9

1.3 million on special trains, 600,000 on buses

Question 10

Why was London was not a target before Sep 1940

Answer 10

Hitler attacked RAF bases before, both sides were avoiding targeting civilians because of retribution

Question 11

Black Saturday (7 Sep 1940)

Answer 11

began 57 consecutive nights of bombing in the East End

Question 12

West End and Buckingham Palace hit (13 Sep 1940)

Answer 12

This had the adverse effect of increasing morale, as Londoners felt united

Question 13

Second Great Fire of London (29 Dec 1940)

Answer 13

over 1,500 fires caused by incendiaries

Question 14

May Raids (10-11 May 1941)

Answer 14

Most destructive raid on London, 1436 people died, 1792 injured

Question 15

Overall effects of the First Blitz

Answer 15

28,556 killed,
over 25,500 wounded,
1.15 million houses damaged,
1/6 Londoners were homeless for at least 1 day

Question 16

Impact of the First Blitz on Civilian life

Answer 16

rationing, blackout, disrupted supplies and communications, lack of sleep, new jobs (ARPs, firewatchers, WRVS)

Question 17

Mickey’s shelter

Answer 17

Mickey Davis raised money to improve the shelter in the Stepney Fruit and Wool Exchange. The shelter had a medical service, a canteen, beds and a library

Question 18

South Hallsville School disaster (11 Sep 1940)

Answer 18

About 1,000 homeless people from East London sheltered in the School in West Ham. After evacuation was delayed for 2 days, 600 people were killed by a bomb. The government censored out the fact that most of the deaths were children

Question 19

Balham Tube disaster (14 Sep 1940)

Answer 19

The roof of the tube station collapsed due to a powerful mine; ruptured gas and flooding led to 66 deaths

Question 20

Censorship during the Blitz

Answer 20

certain figures, such as deaths, might have been altered to maintain morale; it was also used to prevent the Germans from gaining confidential information

Question 21

Propaganda during the Blitz

Answer 21

posters, leaflets, newsreels, encouraged evacuation and the following of government guidelines, increased morale, prepared people against bombs

Question 22

‘The Lull’ (May 1941 - Jan 1944)

Answer 22

The period of less intense bombing

Question 23

Bethnal Green Tube disaster (3 March 1943)

Answer 23

A-A rockets panicked people outside of the station, who rushed down the staircase, causing 173 people to die in the crush

Question 24

The ‘Baby Blitz’ (Jan - Apr 1944)

Answer 24

Increase in monthly deaths from 58 to 948, but few raids got through

Question 25

When were the V1 and V2 attacks?

Answer 25

1944-45

Question 26

V1 rockets

Answer 26

Unmanned flying bombs

Question 27

V2 rockets

Answer 27

First ballistic missile, very destructive, so fast that people couldn’t hear them coming

Question 28

V2 Rocket attack in Deptford (25 Nov 1944)

Answer 28

Hit Woolworths, around 168 killed, 200 injured

Question 29

Impact of the V1 and V2 attacks

Answer 29

Massively decreased morale and government popularity, Absenteeism in factories, More evacuations, > 30,000 houses destroyed, 29,000 killed/injured

Question 30

Royal family’s role in the ‘Carry On’ campaign

Answer 30

They stayed in London, Pictures were published of them standing amongst rubble

Question 31

Government’s role in the ‘Carry On’ campaign

Answer 31

They stayed in London, War rooms were made so they could continue work

Question 32

The role of leisure activities in the ‘Carry On’ campaign

Answer 32

Dance halls stayed open, Football matches continued but were limited to 8,000 fans, Theatres put on late-afternoon performances