Figure 1.--Here the boys in a London classroom are reacting to a drill preparing them if the bombing began without warning. As the Battle of Britain heated up, new instructions were issued to the schools. The press caption read, "London School Children Carry Out New Air Raid Instructions Just Issued: The Board of Education have issued new instructions on the precaution to be tken in chools during an air raid. These state that if bombs are dropped without warning near schools the chilren should take the safest positions in the building away from the windows, if necessary lying on the floor. In no circumstncs should they be allowed to leave. The photo shows children running from their desks to throw themelves to safe places on the floor of the classroom on the instructions of the teacher. Picture taken during air raid practice in a london school today." The boys are taking it very seriously. The photograph was taken on July 10, 1940. At the time, the Luftwaffe was still focused on the Channel and preliminary probing attacks well away from London. And the Chain Home System was still untested.

The classroom was the key unit in air raid preparations. The children were drilled in the classroom and they moved to the shelters in class hroups. Here of course the tacher was thevkey. The classroom response varied from day to day depending on the purpose of the drill. This was never announced in advance to make sure the children were prepared to act immeiately to the different circumstances. The two major drills were 1) putting on the gas masks in the classroomm and 2) school wide moving to the designated safe areas. This was done as a class group and carefully choreographed so it could be done as quickly as possible. The children were timed and encouraged to improve on their performances. There might occassionally be special drills of various kinds. One school film made the point, "regular practice and drill is maintained at all times and the effiency is extrordinarily high." As the Blitz began the children became increasingly proficient. And the schools traind the children with various senarios. Such as a bomb raid without warning. The Chain Home Network was very effective, but it was not perfect. Thus the children ere trined how to seek cover if the bombs befgan falling while they were still in their classrooms.

Classroom Gas Mask Training

On some days the children might be instructed to put on their gas masks and continue working on their school assignments with the masks on. This was to both train the children on how to put on the masks fast and to get used wearing them for an extended period while carrying on with their classroom school work. The teachers went over and over this until each child got it down and was able to handle the masks. It was not good enough for them to be able to put on the mask with assiatance. In real emergency a teacher had to many children and to much to think about to be able to be able to offer timely assiastance. It was uo to each child to get it down. In a real gas attack, seconds could make all the difference. A wonderful film was made at the Knoll School in Hove demonstrating how proficient and matter of fact the children became with the masks. One British author looking back writes, "The gas drills were the worst, because the masks were made of black rubber, with a face piece of clear plastic, and an enormous filter over your mouth. We all looked like horrible pigs! The smell of the rubber was over powering. I used to cheat, and put my finger in the side to let in some fresh air, I wondered later how long I would have survived a gas attack."

Gas Tests

We notice photographs of some children filing out of their school during a practice gas test. A canister of tear gas was set off so that the students could test their reactions, put on their gas masks and leave the premises. We are not sure how common this was. Apparently there were government gas vans and school gas chambers for testing. [Moshenska]

Moving to Safe Area

On other days the children might be instructed to grab their masks and carry them to the safe area previously designated at the school. Here the teacher had to organize a system that permitted each child to quickly ger his or her maskk which wa often stored in the clokeroom. The children were taught to move in class groups and at quick time so the children could get into the safe area in an orderly fashion in a matter of minutes. Depending on the doors and building lay out, they sometimes moved in twos. The children learned to move as group with no one getting out in front or falling behind. We note Air Raid Precaution wardens directing students to their safe areas. This may be occassional checks on the achool air raid protection plans.

Duck and Cover

As the Blitz began the children became increasingly proficient with air raid precautions. And the schools traind the children with various senarios. Mot delt with getting gas masks on and then into the shelters. But they also prcticed with bomb raida without warning. The Chain Home Network was very effective, but it was not perfect. Thus the children were trined how to seek cover if the bombs began falling while they were still in their classrooms. There were ocassional drills with the children practicing getting under their desk and overing their faces to prepare for instance when adequate warning was not received. In America this was called 'duck and cover'. I recall doing it in elementary (primary) school during the 1950s. Fortunately the British Chain Home Network usually provided for timely warning. Herewe see the children drilling in their clssrooms (figure 1). Th greatest issue here was geting away from the windows and flying glass shards.

Created: 10:26 AM 2/22/2016
Last updated: 10:27 AM 2/22/2016