World War 2
The British Home Front
No other nation mobilized more thoroughly for war than the British. 'Don't you know there's a war on?' were the words which rang throughout the conflict, from rationing queues to war factories.
Meat rationing was introduced in March 1940, as the supply ships were being sunk by the German U-boats in the Atlantic. In bad times the weekly butter ration of four ounces was halved and the cheese allowance came to resemble mousetrap bait, in size as well as quantity. Nevertheless, fair shares for all meant that the diet and health of the nation as a whole, improved during the war.
At the beginning of the war roughly one and a half million children were evacuated from Britain's major cities to 'reception areas' safe from German bombs. When at first the bombs failed to materialize, many returned to their homes. However, the onset of the Blitz in September 1940 prompted a new wave of evacuation. Evacuation and the imposition of the black-out were the two main features of life on the home front during the Phoney War.
Britain also had their own civilian-defense-unit; The Home Guard, originally called the Local Defense Volunteers, the Home Guard was formed in May 1940 and by the end of June that year, they numbered a staggering one and a half million ill-equipped but enthusiastic men, mainly made up from youths and retired gentlemen. Hitler called them a 'murder band', but 'Dad's Army' had the last laugh.
Woman were quick to fill the places vacated by the man serving in the forces. In the shipyard they became expert welders, particularly adept to detail. Even so, they were still paid less than their male colleagues; although this at the time was not an issue; as everyone was pulling together to maintain the war effort.
Woman were quick to fill the places vacated by the man serving in the forces. In the shipyard they became expert welders, particularly adept to detail. Even so, they were still paid less than their male colleagues; although this at the time was not an issue; as everyone was pulling together to maintain the war effort.
The conscription of women began in December 1941. By mid-1943 nine out of ten single women were in the forces or part of the war industry, serving as Land Girls, operating mixed anti-aircraft batteries or working as welders in Britain's shipyards.
The entire nation was embraced by the war effort and a substantial civilian part of it was propelled into the front line by the Blitz. In the winter of 1940 a woman Air Raid Warden in the East End of London was in greater physical danger every night than the majority of men serving in the forces.