World War II
Introduction to World War II
World War II involved many countries around the globe fighting against each other, including the UK. It lasted six years, from 1939-1945.
The War became a global conflict after the German military, led by Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland in 1939 because he wanted to take some of their land for Germany. France and the UK declared war on Germany because they didn’t think what Germany was doing was right, then Italy joined with Germany, and gradually other countries in Europe and around the world became involved with either the Allies or the Axis powers.
Life during the war was very difficult. Today, we mark special days to remember the many millions of people who fought, and died during World War II.
Top 10 facts
1. World War II lasted from 1939 to 1945.
2. World War II began when German troops invaded Poland on 1 September 1939.
3. The UK declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939. It was announced by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain.
4. While many countries were involved in the war, they each took sides – either with the Allies, or the Axis.
5. The main Axis countries were Germany, Italy and Japan.
6. The main Allied countries were Great Britain, the United States, France and the Soviet Union.
7. Prime Ministers during World War II were Neville Chamberlain until 1940, then Winston Churchill.
8. The Battle of Britain, between the German Luftwaffe and the Royal Air Force, was the first ever battle to be fought only in the air. It was made up of lots of air battles that lasted from 10 July-31 October 1940.
9. World War II ended in Europe on 8 May 1945 – this is also known as VE Day.
10. World War II carried on for a few months after it ended in Europe, and officially ended when Japan formally surrendered to the Allies on 2 September 1945 (also called VJ Day).
World War II involved many countries around the globe fighting against each other, including the UK. It lasted six years, from 1939-1945.
The War became a global conflict after the German military, led by Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland in 1939 because he wanted to take some of their land for Germany. France and the UK declared war on Germany because they didn’t think what Germany was doing was right, then Italy joined with Germany, and gradually other countries in Europe and around the world became involved with either the Allies or the Axis powers.
Life during the war was very difficult. Today, we mark special days to remember the many millions of people who fought, and died during World War II.
Top 10 facts
1. World War II lasted from 1939 to 1945.
2. World War II began when German troops invaded Poland on 1 September 1939.
3. The UK declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939. It was announced by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain.
4. While many countries were involved in the war, they each took sides – either with the Allies, or the Axis.
5. The main Axis countries were Germany, Italy and Japan.
6. The main Allied countries were Great Britain, the United States, France and the Soviet Union.
7. Prime Ministers during World War II were Neville Chamberlain until 1940, then Winston Churchill.
8. The Battle of Britain, between the German Luftwaffe and the Royal Air Force, was the first ever battle to be fought only in the air. It was made up of lots of air battles that lasted from 10 July-31 October 1940.
9. World War II ended in Europe on 8 May 1945 – this is also known as VE Day.
10. World War II carried on for a few months after it ended in Europe, and officially ended when Japan formally surrendered to the Allies on 2 September 1945 (also called VJ Day).
Life As a Soldier in World War II
Family life was greatly affected by the Second World War. Britain didn’t have enough soldiers to fight a war so introduced conscription. This meant that all men aged between 18 and 41 were required to register for service, unless they were doing certain jobs, such as mining or farming. This meant that most children’s dads had to leave and fight.
Children would hear from their dads in postcards and letters. However, these were censored to ensure that if a German spy got hold of them, the spy wouldn’t know any details about what soldiers were doing.
Soldiers were only allowed a few days leave each year. If they were fighting thousands of miles away, they couldn’t travel home. This meant that many children didn’t see their dads for the entire length of the war.
It is estimated that between 300,000 and 500,000
children lost their fathers in the war.
Soldiers captured by the enemy became prisoners of war (POWs). They were sent to prisons called POW camps. Many POWs tried to escape and get back home.
Ireland remained neutral during World War II. However, tens of thousands of Irish citizens, who were by law British Subjects, fought in the Allied armies against the Nazis, mostly in the British army. Some 5,000 Irish volunteers were killed during the Second World War and many thousands more wounded. Compared with the 35,000 Irish who perished in the First World War this was a low number of casualties but for a small country it constituted a substantial sacrifice and a significant contribution to the Allied cause.
Family life was greatly affected by the Second World War. Britain didn’t have enough soldiers to fight a war so introduced conscription. This meant that all men aged between 18 and 41 were required to register for service, unless they were doing certain jobs, such as mining or farming. This meant that most children’s dads had to leave and fight.
Children would hear from their dads in postcards and letters. However, these were censored to ensure that if a German spy got hold of them, the spy wouldn’t know any details about what soldiers were doing.
Soldiers were only allowed a few days leave each year. If they were fighting thousands of miles away, they couldn’t travel home. This meant that many children didn’t see their dads for the entire length of the war.
It is estimated that between 300,000 and 500,000
children lost their fathers in the war.
Soldiers captured by the enemy became prisoners of war (POWs). They were sent to prisons called POW camps. Many POWs tried to escape and get back home.
Ireland remained neutral during World War II. However, tens of thousands of Irish citizens, who were by law British Subjects, fought in the Allied armies against the Nazis, mostly in the British army. Some 5,000 Irish volunteers were killed during the Second World War and many thousands more wounded. Compared with the 35,000 Irish who perished in the First World War this was a low number of casualties but for a small country it constituted a substantial sacrifice and a significant contribution to the Allied cause.
The Role of Women during the Second World War
Life for most women before the war was quite different than today. Typically most women stayed at home and did not go to work. When the war started in September 1939, the role of women changed rapidly. With men called up for active service, there was a need for women to undertake the jobs that the men had previously done, giving them the opportunity to become patriotic heroines.
During the war women were employed in a range of positions including; munition factory workers (making weapons), working in the armed forces (army, navy and airforce), working as Land Girls, driving buses or trains, working as nurses or ambulance drivers, building ships, becoming searchlight operators and becoming air raid wardens.
In 1943 almost 90% of single women and 80% of married women were in employment.
Life for most women before the war was quite different than today. Typically most women stayed at home and did not go to work. When the war started in September 1939, the role of women changed rapidly. With men called up for active service, there was a need for women to undertake the jobs that the men had previously done, giving them the opportunity to become patriotic heroines.
During the war women were employed in a range of positions including; munition factory workers (making weapons), working in the armed forces (army, navy and airforce), working as Land Girls, driving buses or trains, working as nurses or ambulance drivers, building ships, becoming searchlight operators and becoming air raid wardens.
In 1943 almost 90% of single women and 80% of married women were in employment.
The Evacuation
At the start of the war, the government realised that cities would be targeted. They decided to encourage parents to allow their children to be evacuated to safer, rural locations.
Parents were given a list of things to pack for their children which included a gas mask, underwear, pyjamas or a nightie, plimsolls, toothbrush, comb, a towel, soap, a flannel, handkerchiefs and a warm coat. This list doesn’t sound like very much, but some families struggled to even get these items. A lot of children who were being evacuated came from very poor families.
Some children took a toy with them but it would have been something small. They had to be able to carry all their possessions themselves in one small suitcase.
The children had labels attached to them with their name, age and home address on them.
Children were taken on trains or buses to their new locations. A person called a billeting officer would collect the children and take them to a village hall. People who had volunteered to take in the evacuees would then walk amongst them and choose the children they liked the look of. For some children, evacuation was a positive experience. For others it was not.
Over one million children were evacuated during the Second World War. Thousands of children were sent to places such as Australia and New Zealand.
At the start of the war, the government realised that cities would be targeted. They decided to encourage parents to allow their children to be evacuated to safer, rural locations.
Parents were given a list of things to pack for their children which included a gas mask, underwear, pyjamas or a nightie, plimsolls, toothbrush, comb, a towel, soap, a flannel, handkerchiefs and a warm coat. This list doesn’t sound like very much, but some families struggled to even get these items. A lot of children who were being evacuated came from very poor families.
Some children took a toy with them but it would have been something small. They had to be able to carry all their possessions themselves in one small suitcase.
The children had labels attached to them with their name, age and home address on them.
Children were taken on trains or buses to their new locations. A person called a billeting officer would collect the children and take them to a village hall. People who had volunteered to take in the evacuees would then walk amongst them and choose the children they liked the look of. For some children, evacuation was a positive experience. For others it was not.
Over one million children were evacuated during the Second World War. Thousands of children were sent to places such as Australia and New Zealand.
Rationing
Rationing was where things such as food, clothing and petrol were limited to a certain amount per person. This was to make sure that food was shared out fairly and that everyone had what they needed. Goods became scarce because German submarines started attacking ships that brought things to Britain. The country had to become self-sufficient and a way of doing this was to ration things. Rationing began in January 1940 and gradually most food was rationed.
People were given ration books which had food coupons in them. Every time they bought food, the shopkeeper took a token. This made sure people only bought the food they were allowed to have. Have a look at this Ration Book Families were encouraged to turn their gardens into allotments, in order to grow their own fruit and vegetables.
A weekly ration for one person was usually:
50g butter, 225g sugar, 50g cheese, 100g bacon or ham, 1 egg, 100g margarine, 1.8 litre of milk, 50g of tea.
A simple thing like making a birthday cake became a maths challenge for the cook! The whole family’s ration of sugar, butter and eggs would have to be used.
People were inventive during the time of rationing.A substitute called powdered egg was used (it tastes about as nice as it sounds!). Popular recipes included:
•Eggless Cake
•Rabbit Stew
•Vegetable and Oatmeal Casserole
•Mock Fish Cakes
•Eggless Mayonnaise
Rationing of some food continued until 1954, nine years after the end of the war! It was an exciting time, although a bit confusing for some children. Children hadn’t seen bananas for so many years that some didn’t know how to eat them and tried to eat them with the skin on!
Rationing was where things such as food, clothing and petrol were limited to a certain amount per person. This was to make sure that food was shared out fairly and that everyone had what they needed. Goods became scarce because German submarines started attacking ships that brought things to Britain. The country had to become self-sufficient and a way of doing this was to ration things. Rationing began in January 1940 and gradually most food was rationed.
People were given ration books which had food coupons in them. Every time they bought food, the shopkeeper took a token. This made sure people only bought the food they were allowed to have. Have a look at this Ration Book Families were encouraged to turn their gardens into allotments, in order to grow their own fruit and vegetables.
A weekly ration for one person was usually:
50g butter, 225g sugar, 50g cheese, 100g bacon or ham, 1 egg, 100g margarine, 1.8 litre of milk, 50g of tea.
A simple thing like making a birthday cake became a maths challenge for the cook! The whole family’s ration of sugar, butter and eggs would have to be used.
People were inventive during the time of rationing.A substitute called powdered egg was used (it tastes about as nice as it sounds!). Popular recipes included:
•Eggless Cake
•Rabbit Stew
•Vegetable and Oatmeal Casserole
•Mock Fish Cakes
•Eggless Mayonnaise
Rationing of some food continued until 1954, nine years after the end of the war! It was an exciting time, although a bit confusing for some children. Children hadn’t seen bananas for so many years that some didn’t know how to eat them and tried to eat them with the skin on!