Figure 1.--Ths painting by Grace Golden was entitled "The Emergency Food Office". It was probably painted in 1940 during the Blitz. It depicts the operation to provide emergency aid. The office was set up in a converted music hall. These temporary facilities were run by the Women's Voluntary Services (VMS).

After the attacks on the docks in the East End, the Luftwaffe campaign became largely a matter of destroying London block by block which mean using its valuable limited resources to level a vast city. The initial raids were a terror campaign. The Germans thought they could terrify the British into capitulation. But as soon as the British had adjusted to the new German tactic and provided shelters, actual casualties were limited, must smaller than what had been anticipated before the War. RAF Fighter Command's success in daylight forced the Germans to shift to night bombing. And bombing at night, the Luftwaffe could only hit London, not specific targets within the city. The result was the the result of the bombing was the destruction of large numbers of houses. And wars are not won by destroying houses. The campaign was, however, devestating for the individuals involved. London was a vast city and the small bomb loads of the Germn bombers limited the damage, especially because they continued to carry mostly high-explosive bombs rather than incendiaries. Large numbers of Londoners were bombed out of their homes. Overall the Germans destroyed aboyt 2 million British homes. Many were in London. The British responded with a well organized effort to meet the neededs of those affected. Needs varied. Some had relatives they could deprnd on. Others needed emergency food, clothes, help finding housing, new cupon books, and a range of other services. There were even mobile Lifebuoy Emergency hot baths.Thus the basic needs of those bombed out were met.

German Terror Campaign

After the attacks on the docks in the East End, the Luftwaffe campaign became largely a matter of destroying London block by block which mean using its valuable limited resources to level a vast city. The initial raids were a terror campaign. The Germans thought they could terrify the British into capitulation. This worked against the Dutch which had no way of resisting militarily. Against the British it meant using valuable and limited military resources to destroy a target which in military terms had very low value. A country does not wsin a war by destroying housing, it needs to destroy an opponent's military forces. London was a a huge city sporead out over a vast area. Destroying London would require a massive effort. And in attacking Brtish housing (a low value target), Hitler was putting the Luftwaffe (his most value military assett) at risk. And an air war fought over British skies resulted in greater German than British casualties. Air crews shot down over Britain even if they survived were lost to the Germans. Uninjured British pilots shot down were usually back in the air within only a few days. And while the vaunted Luftwaffe was busy destroying housing, the British were rapidly replacing the arms lost at Dunkirk and expanding the RAF. The British during the Battkle of Britain were building more planes than the Germans.

Civilian Casualties

But as soon as the British had adjusted to the new German tactic and provided shelters, actual casualties were limited, given the German effort or what had been anticipated before the War. One estimate suggests that about 22,000 Londoners perished in the Blitz (through May 1941). Nearly 52,000 civilans were killed from German bombing during the war. And another 9,000 were killed as a result of the V-weapon campaign. These numbers are of course horific, but in World War II terms are relatively small numbers. They had no impasct on the British ability to make war. If anything they steeled the British desire to bring the war to Germany. After the Blitz, the only limitation placed on the British military was the use of chemical and biological weapons.

Homes in London and Other Cities

RAF Fighter Command's success in daylight forced the Germans to shift to night bombing. And bombing at night, the Luftwaffe could only hit London, not specific targets within the city. The result was the the result of the bombing was the destruction of large numbers of houses. And wars are not won by destroying houses. The campaign was, however, devestating for the individuals involved. London was a vast city and the small bomb loads of the German bombers limited the damage, especially because they continued to carry mostly high-explosive bombs rather than incendiaries. Large numbers of Londoners were bombed out of their homes. Overall the Germans destroyed about 2 million British homes.

Assisting Bombed Out Civilians

Most of the bombed out civilians, especially in the early phase of the Blitz were in London. The East End was especially hard hit. The British responded with a well-organized effort to meet the neededs of those affected. Neigbors took inn theur friends until permaznent arrangements could be made. Several services, mostly staffed by volunteers aided the families bombed out. Needs varied. Some had relatives they could deprnd on. Others needed emergency food, clothes, help finding housing, new cupon books, and a range of other services. The Air Raid Precaution Services (ARP) offered vital emergency services. The Auxilery Fire Service provided critical helpn to the small Fire Service. When the all-clear sounded, the Womens Voluntary Service (VMSO) volunteers were soon on hand. There were even mobile Lifebuoy Emergency hot baths. Thus the basic needs of those bombed out were met.

Created: 6:25 AM 5/6/2008
Last updated: 3:06 AM 7/7/2010