The Docks in the Second World War
Missing evidence
When studying the Blitz we must therefore be careful about the reliability
of available evidence, whether this comes from newspapers, photographs,
government or other sources. But we must also be aware of the evidence
that may be missing or not available.
This may lead us on to further enquiries such as interviewing survivors.
It may also lead us to look critically at accounts that have been
written about the Blitz.
C: 'People in Britain withstood the terror attacks amazingly well.
Air-raid shelters were put up in city streets, and the government
supplied thousands of Anderson shelters for people to put up in
their gardens.
Londoners found safety by sleeping every night on the platforms
of the underground railway stations, while other people simply moved
their bedding under the stairs in their own houses, where they were
relatively well protected from all but a direct hit.
Every night the wailing of the air-raid siren announced the approach
of the German bombers and ensured that most people had time to take
cover before the raid actually started.
The night was then spent in whatever form of shelter people had,
until, near dawn, the all-clear sounded and it was possible to return
home. In this way, daily life continued.
After a night in the air-raid shelter, men went off to work and
children to school, and housewives went about the routine business
of preparing food and doing the housework. There was very little
panic and certainly no sign that people wanted to give in.'
SL Case, Knowing British History, The Second World War, 1976.
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Contact
Nigel Sagar
Design and Technology
London Borough of Barking
and Dagenham
Email: nigel.sagar@lbbd.gov.uk
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