The historic environment - 1 London and the Second World War, 1939–45: The…

The idea

London's context in the Second World War made it a prime target for German bombers. As the seat of national government, a major port, and a vital industrial centre, its destruction was intended to cripple the British war effort. Its geographical accessibility from occupied Europe further increased its vulnerability. In 1939, extensive preparations were made to safeguard the population. The government implemented mass evacuation plans, relocating over a million children and vulnerable individuals to rural areas. Ongoing measures included the widespread provision of Anderson shelters for domestic protection and the distribution of gas masks to the entire population to mitigate the threat of chemical attacks.

What earns the marks

• Explain London's significance as a target due to its concentration of national government, industry, and the vital docks in the East End.
• Describe how London's geographical location in the south-east made it highly accessible to Luftwaffe bombers flying from bases in occupied France and Belgium.
• Detail the implementation of Operation Pied Piper in September 1939, which evacuated children, mothers, and teachers from London to safer rural areas.
• Outline the provision of Anderson shelters, distributed free to poorer households, to provide blast protection in domestic gardens.
• Discuss the universal distribution of gas masks and the ongoing public information campaigns enforcing their carriage due to the fear of poison gas.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Stating that evacuation only happened once.

  Put it right: Evacuation occurred in waves, with many returning during the Phoney War before being evacuated again during the Blitz.

• Assuming Anderson shelters protected against direct hits.

  Put it right: They were designed to protect against blast damage and shrapnel from near misses, not direct bomb strikes.

• Believing gas masks were frequently used during attacks.

  Put it right: Although distributed universally, poison gas was never actually dropped on London during WWII.

Exam tips

• Link London's specific features (e.g., the River Thames acting as a navigational aid for bombers) to its vulnerability and accessibility.
• When discussing preparations, distinguish between pre-war planning (like the design of Anderson shelters) and the actual implementation in 1939.
• Use the historic environment context to explain why the East End suffered disproportionately due to its dual role as a port and industrial hub.