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The impact of War on the Home Front
The impact of War on the Home Front
What was the Home Front?
What was the Home Front?
Britain was called the 'Home Front', because people felt that they were part of the war. The war effected everyone whether they were on the front line (in Europe) or on the home front (back in Britain).
Not everyone went to fight, but everyone helped in the 'war effort' in some way or other.
Evacuation
Evacuation
Evacuation means leaving a place. During the Second World War, many children living in big cities and towns were moved temporarily from their homes to places considered safer, usually out in the countryside.
The British evacuation began on Friday 1 September 1939. It was called 'Operation Pied Piper'.
The Phoney War
The Phoney War
•The first official evacuations began on September 1 1939, two days before the declaration of war.
•1.5 Million children, were evacuated to safer countryside locations in just two days.
•There were no big bombing raids on Britain in the first months of the war (know as The Phoney War) as a result by early 1940 almost 60% of children had returned home.
•When the Blitz started in 1940 children were evacuated again.
•The children travelled by train when they arrived in the countryside, tired, hungry and uncertain whether they would ever see their families again.
The Blitz
The Blitz
It was dangerous living in a big city during the war. Cities were the target of enemy aircraft that flew over at night and dropped bombs.
At 4:56pm on 7 September 1940, the air raid sirens wailed as the German Air Force, the Luftwaffe, launched a massive raid on London. Over 350 bombers flew across the Channel from airfields in France and dropped 300 tonnes of bombs on the docks and streets of the East End of London.
Who was targeted in the Blitz?
Who was targeted in the Blitz?
•London was bombed over a period of 77 consecutive nights except one.
•Many other major cities also suffered much damage, including Liverpool, Birmingham and Coventry.
What was the impact of the Blitz?
What was the impact of the Blitz?
•By the time the Blitz ended, about 43,000 people had been killed and 2 million were homeless.
•However, Britain’s morale under the leadership of Prime Minister Winston Churchill had not been broken.
Women on the Home Front
Women on the Home Front
Before the Second World War, women were expected to be 'housewives' or perhaps to do certain 'women's jobs', such as nursing or being a domestic servant or shop assistant. The war changed the world of work for women for ever. When men went to fight, women were called upon to fill their jobs, and this included many jobs that were previously thought of unsuitable for women.
•From the very beginning of the war, women started to take over jobs left by men.
•Many women were recruited into the Women’s Land Army to help with food production.
•About 80,000 women joined the Women’s Land Army.
•By 1944, there were 450,000 women working in the army, navy and air force.
•Some did essential jobs, including working as mechanics, welders and carpenters.
Rationing
Rationing
•German U-boats (submarines) were sinking supply ships coming to Britain and the country was running out of food.
•The government introduced rationing. This meant that every person was entitled to a fixed amount of certain sorts of food.
• Butter, sugar and bacon were the first goods to be rationed.
•The government also encouraged people to grow their own food in their back gardens or in allotments. The ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign was very successful.
Outcomes Focused, Child Centred
Outcomes Focused, Child Centred
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