How did people protect themselves during the war?

Children and some women were evacuated from the big cities into the countryside.

People carried gas masks to protect themselves against a possible gas attack.

People built air raid shelters in their gardens.

All windows and doors were blacked out to make it harder for the enemy planes to spot where they lived.

What effect did the war have on people?

World War II brought a lot of suffering and hardship to thousands of people.

• German bombers made terrifying night raids.
• Families were broken up as men were sent to the front lines to fight, some never to return.
• Children were sent out of the cities to stay with strangers, away from the bombing.
• Shops were half empty of things to buy and what was available was often rationed.

The peaceful routine of everyday life was shattered.