Figure 1.-- This is a warden's post at a bomb shelter in southeast London during the Blitz, we think in September or October 1940. It is manned by three boys in their teens. The post was attached to a warehouse shelter. Source: British official photograph. Office for Emergency Management. No. BO-1154.

The ARP braced for a German attack during the Munich Crisis (September 1938). So when Hitler launched the war invading Poland (September 1, 1939), they were ready. The Luftwaffe did not attack west when the British and French declared war (September 3). Calculating that the Allies would not declare war, Hitler threw the full force of the Luftwaffe at Poland, a country with only a small, largely obsolete air force and virtually no civil defense preoparations. Hitler was wrong about declaring war, but he was correct that the Allies would not attack vigiorously in the West. The Allies refrained from major air attacks on Gemany, fearing Luftwaffe reprisals. The ARP took on the task of issuing gas masks, pre-fabricated air-raid shelters (Anderson and Morrison shelters), setting up public shelters, and the maintenance of the blackout. The ARP also helped in the rescue effort after air raids and other attacks, and some women became ARP Ambulance Attendants whose job was to help administer first aid to casualties, search for survivors, and in many grim instances, help recover bodies, sometimes those of their own colleagues. ARP Wardens patrolled assigned city neigborhoods to make sure that every home was blacked out. The iniitial Lufwaffe campaign was a daylight campaign against the RAF. When this failed and increasing losses forced the Luftwaffe to shift to night-time bombing, the black out became very important. Boys served as ARP messengers. The effectiveness of the German aerial bombardment campaign proved less than anticipated. There was substabtial property damage and civilian casuakltues, but far less than anticipated. And the Luftwaffe did not significantly impair the British war econonomy. This was because the Luftwaffe was a tactical force and the RAF exacted a heavy toll on the slow-moving bombers. After the British withstood the Blitz, Hitler shifted the Luftwaffe east to prepare fvor Barbarossa (1941). The morale of the British people remained high througiout the Blitz. The ARP headquarters was at Baylis House in Slough, Buckinghamshire.

Declaration of War (September 1939

The ARP braced for a German attack during the Munich Crisis (September 1938). So when Hitler launched the war invading Poland (September 1, 1939), they were ready. The Luftwaffe did not attack west when the British and French declared war (September 3). Calculating that the Allies would not declare war, Hitler threw the full force of the Luftwaffe at Poland, a country with only a small, largely obsolete air force and virtually no civil defense preoparations.

Phony War: Air Phase (September 1939-May1940)

Hitler was wrong about the Allies declaring war, but he was correct that the Allies would not attack vigiorously in the West. The Allies refrained from major air attacks on Germany. The French in particular feared Luftwaffe reprisals. The ARP in Britain took on the task of issuing gas masks, pre-fabricated air-raid shelters (Anderson and Morrison shelters), setting up public shelters, and the maintenance of the blackout. The Government was, however, noy to use the Tube (Underground) shelters. The ARP has several months to prepare for the Luftwaffe onlaught.

Battle of Britain (July 1940-April 1941)

The ARP also helped in the rescue effort after air raids and other attacks, and some women became ARP Ambulance Attendants whose job was to help administer first aid to casualties, search for survivors, and in many grim instances, help recover bodies, sometimes those of their own colleagues. ARP Wardens patrolled assigned city neigborhoods to make sure that every home was blacked out. The iniitial Lufwaffe campaign was a daylight campaign against the RAF. When this failed and increasing losses forced the Luftwaffe to shift to night-time bombing, the black out became very important. Boys served as ARP messengers. The effectiveness of the German aerial bombardment campaign proved less than anticipated. There was substabtial property damage and civilian casuakltues, but far less than anticipated. And the Luftwaffe did not significantly impair the British war econonomy. This was because the Luftwaffe was a tactical force and the RAF exacted a heavy toll on the slow-moving bombers. After the British withstood the Blitz, Hitler shifted the Luftwaffe east to prepare for Barbarossa (1941). The morale of the British people remained high througiout the Blitz. The ARP headquarters was at Baylis House in Slough, Buckinghamshire.

Created: 7:20 AM 11/1/2012
Last updated: 7:25 PM 3/3/2019