During the Second World War, Londoners lived through some of the most challenging and harrowing experiences of their lives. The war had a profound impact on every aspect of life in the city, from work and food rationing to air raids and bombing.
One of the most notable changes was the evacuation of over a million children and their families from London to the countryside, which was done to protect them from bombing raids. This left many Londoners without loved ones and caused significant disruption to family life.
The city was also subject to frequent air raids and bombings, with the most significant and sustained period of bombing known as the Blitz occurring between September 1940 and May 1941. During this time, Londoners had to endure almost daily bombings and were forced to take shelter in underground stations and other makeshift shelters to avoid the bombs.
Food rationing was also introduced during the war, which affected the diet and nutrition of Londoners. The government introduced a system of rationing that limited the amount of food each person could buy, including staples such as bread, meat, and sugar.
Despite the hardships and challenges of living through the war, Londoners showed remarkable resilience and solidarity. Communities came together to support each other, and there are many stories of bravery and heroism from this time. Ultimately, the determination and strength of the people of London helped the city to survive and recover from the war.
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At the outbreak of war, railway companies evacuated 1.3 million children and some adults from big towns and cities. Today, a statue commemorates the Kindertransport mission.
The railways also played a huge part in the evacuation of Dunkirk in May and June 1940, when more than 338,000 Allied troops were rescued from the shores of northern France. A total of 620 trains moved more than 319,000 troops from their landing points to locations all over the country.
Railway restaurant cars were withdrawn from service on 5 April 1944 as part of the build-up to Operation Overlord (D-Day), the Allied invasion of Europe, for the rest of the war.
Just like in WWI, the number of women working on the railway rose substantially during WWII. By the end of WWII, the number of women in railway jobs had increased from 635 in 1939 to 10,899 in 1945. More than 1.6 million women took on traditionally male jobs, with more than 100,000 working in various forms of transport, particularly as engineers.
Perhaps one of the most famous stories of the railway during WWII is its role in providing shelter and food for servicemen and civilians.
Great Britain is often considered the pivotal country of European resistance during World War II for several reasons:
The Battle of Britain: During the summer and autumn of 1940, Great Britain stood alone against the German Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Royal Air Force (RAF) was able to defend the country from German aerial attacks, which prevented a German invasion of Great Britain and provided a significant morale boost to the Allied forces.
Resistance and espionage: Great Britain was a key center of resistance and espionage during the war, with organizations such as the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and the Intelligence Corps working to sabotage German operations and gather intelligence. British spies such as the « Cambridge Five » provided valuable information to the Allies throughout the war.
Military contributions: Great Britain also made significant military contributions to the Allied war effort. The British Army fought in North Africa, Italy, and Normandy, and the Royal Navy played a vital role in protecting shipping lanes and supporting amphibious landings.
Political leadership: Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister during the war, was a key figure in rallying the Allied forces and inspiring resistance to the Axis powers. His speeches and leadership were crucial in maintaining morale and determination throughout the war.
Overall, Great Britain played a crucial role in resisting the Axis powers during World War II and provided vital leadership, military, and intelligence contributions to the Allied effort.
By the end of August Hitler, frustrated at how many British planes remained in the air, commanded the Luftwaffe to start attacking major cities, including London. It had a devastating impact on the capital. A bus is seen here in a bomb crater in London in 1940.
