`The ordeals to which Britain was subjected by enemy bombing included not only the destruction of homes and the devastation of cities, but the apprehension of possible gas attack.
In these extracts from speeches by the Premier and the Minister of Home Security, high tribute is paid to the courage and fortitude of the civilian population, and a solemn warning given to prepare for any eventuality.
Mr Churchill in a Speech at PortsmouthJanuary 31st 1941
I have thought about you and your friends in Southampton a good deal when we knew how heavily you were being attacked, and I am glad to find an afternoon to come and see you to wish you good luck and offer you the thanks and congratulations of the Government for the manner in which you are standing up to those onslaughts of the enemy.
We see that the enemy has been decisively defeated by the R.A.F. and he was not able last autumn to invade our country.
We see that our friends across the ocean are taking a very warm interest in the struggle for freedom here.
The great American democracy has pledged itself to give us it aid.
Lastly, what has happened to Italy?She with her crafty and calculating chief thought she could win a very cheap and easy victory by stabbing France in the back.
The tables have been turned in a most remarkable fashion by the brilliant operations of General Wavell and General Wilson and the splendid effort made by the Greeks in repelling invasion of their native land.
These two events, one in Africa and the other in Europe, have together shown the rottenness and weakness of the Nazi Fascist regime so far as Italy is concerned.
Instead of marching on in triumph to Athens and Cairo they are now forced to bring in the Germans to rescue and rule them.
All this gives us encouragement to face the long and hard ordeals which lie before us but to which we shall not be found unequal.
We shall come through, we cannot tell when, we cannot tell how, but we shall come through.
We have none of us any doubt whatever, nor is there much doubt among lovers of freedom in other countries throughout the world that we shall come through with triumph.
When we have done so, we shall have the right to say we live in an age which, in all the long history of Britain, was most filled with glorious achievement and most graced by duties done.
Mr Herbert Morrison, Minister of Home Security in a Broadcast, March 28th 1941.
Speaking with due solemnity and expressing the considered and firmly established view of H.M. Government, I remind you and the whole world that the use of the gas weapon is abhorrent to us, we know it to be contrary that it is also contrary to the principles of humanity and the decencies of civilized conduct.
We will in no circumstances be the first to use gas.
If our enemy seeks to pretend to the world that the defensive measures undertaken by the British Government to protect the civil population against gas are an indication that we ourselves intend to take the initiative in its use, then I brand the suggestion as a black and intentional lie.
But our enemy, though he has declared that he would not use the gas weapon, never commands any confidence here or in any quarter of the free world, in the truth of his words.
To the Nazi a promise, if it does not suit you keep it, is nothing more than a way of deceiving your enemy.
I repeat, the increased threat of direct attack on this country which the present season brings, involves an increased threat of gas attack.
If the enemy believes it to be to his military advantage to use gas in either in connexion with military operations or against the civil population, he will use it make no doubt of that.
Neutral observers, who should be in a good position to form an opinion, have publicly said that Germany is making active preparations to use gas.
Whether this is so I cannot say.
What I can say is that it is absolutely essential for us to be prepared.
For these reasons his Majesty’s Government have instituted and will pursue with determination, a campaign of measures to ensure that the civil population is well prepared.
We are seeking the cooperation of all the bodies that can help us, and we shall ourselves take every opportunity of ensuring that our material preparation is fully adequate and in good order.
But the greatest preparation of all lies within your power to achieve.
Remember that against a defenceless or ill prepared population the gas weapon may be deadly, it me even be decisive.
But against a well prepared population which knows exactly what to do and does it, gas can be rendered little more than a serious nuisance.
One of the likeliest reasons for the enemy to use gas would be because he might regard it as his last hope of doing what he has tried without any success to do in many other ways , stampeding our civil population and causing it to panic.
You can arm yourselves, body and mind, securely against it …..
Mr Churchill in a Broadcast, April 27th 1941.
I was asked last week whether I was aware of some uneasiness which, it was said, existed in the country on account of the gravity, as it was described, of the war situation.
So I thought it would be a good thing to go and see for myself what this uneasiness amounted to.
And I went to some of our great cities, seaports which had been most heavily bombed.
I have come back not only reassured but refreshed.
To leave the offices in Whitehall, with their ceaseless hum of activity and stress and wharves of London or Liverpool, Manchester, Cardiff, Swansea, or Bristol, is like going out of a hothouse on to the bridge of a fighting ship.
It is tonics which I should recommend any who are suffering from fretfulness to take in strong doses when they have need of it.
It is quite true that I have seen many painful scenes of havoc and of fine buildings and acres of cottage homes blasted into rubble heaps of ruins, but it is just in those very places where the malice of the savage enemy has done its worst and where the ordeal of the men, women, and children has been most severe that I found their morale most high and splendid.
Indeed, I feel comforted by an exaltation of spirit in the people which seemed to lift mankind above the level of material facts into the joyous serenity we think belongs to a better world than this.
Of their kindness to me I cannot speak, because I have never sought it or dreamed of it and can never deserve it.
I can only assure you that I and my colleagues or a comrade rather for that is what they are who deal with every scrap of life and strength, according to the lot granted to us, shall not fail these people or be wholly unworthy of their faithful and generous regard.
What a triumph the life of these battered cities is over the worst which fire and bombs can do.
What a vindication of the civilized and decent way of living we have been trying to work for and work towards in our Island.
This ordeal by fire has, in a certain sense, even exhilarated the manhood and womanhood of Britain.
The sublime but also terribly sombre experiences and emotions of the battlefield, which for centuries have been reserved for the soldiers and sailors, are now shared for good or ill by the entire population.
All our crowds have been proud of being under fire of the enemy ,old men ,little children , the crippled, the veterans of former wars, aged women , and the ordinary hard pressed citizen or subject of the King , as he likes to call himself , the sturdy workmen who swings a hammer or loads a ship, the skilful craftsman, the members of every kindof A.R.P. service, are proud to feel that they stand in the line together with our fighting men when one of the greatest causes is being fought out and fought out it will be to the end.
This indeed, is the great heroic period of our history and the light of glory shines on all.
In May, 1941 when Britain was threatened with invasion, a leaflet was issued by the Ministry of Information in cooperation with the War Office and the Ministry of Home Security, and distributed to every household.
It comprised a message from Mr Churchill and a number of instructions should the threat materialize.
A Message from the Prime Minister.
If invasion comes everyone young or old, men and women will be eager to play their part worthily.
By far the greater part of the country will not be immediately involved.
Even along our coasts, the greater part will remain unaffected.
But where the enemy lands or tries to land, there will be most violent fighting.
Not only will there be the battles when the enemy tries to come ashore, but afterwards there will fall upon his lodgements very heavy British counter attacks, and all the time the lodgements will be under the heaviest attack by British bombers.
The fewer civilians or non combatants in these areas, the better apart from essential workers who must remain.
So if you are advised by the authorities to leave the place where you live, it is your duty to go elsewhere when you are told to leave.
When the attack begins, it will be too late to go, and unless you receive definite instructions to move, your duty then will be to stay where you are.
You will have to get into the safest place you can find, and stay there until the battle is over.
For all of you then the order and the duty will be, Stand Firm.
This also applies to people inland if any considerable number of parachutists or air borne troops are landed in their neighbourhood.
Above all they must not cumber the roads.
Like their fellow countrymen on the coasts, they must “StandFirm”The Home Guard supported by strongmobile columns wherever the enemy’s numbers require it , will immediately come to grips with the invaders, and there is little doubt will soon destroy them.
Throughout the rest of the country where there is no fighting going on and no close cannon fire or rifle fire can be heard, everyone will govern his conduct by the second great order and duty, namely “Carry on”.
It may easily be some weeks before the invader has been totally destroyed, that is to say, killed or captured to the last man who has landed on our shores.
Meanwhile all work must be continued to the utmost, and no time lost.
The following notes have been prepared to tell everyone in rather more detail what to do, and they should be carefully studied.
Each men and women should think out a clear plan of personal action in accordance with the general scheme.
Winston Churchill.
What do I do if fighting breaks out in my neighbourhood?
Keep indoors or in your shelter until the battle is over.
If you can have a trench ready in your garden or field, so much the better.
You may want to use it for protection if your house is damaged.
But if you are at work, or if you have special orders, carry on as long as possible and only take cover when danger approaches.
If you are on your way to work, finish your journey if you can.
If you see an enemy tank, or a few enemy soldiers, do not assume that the enemy are in control of the area.
What you have seen may be a party sent on in advance, or stragglers from the main body, who can easily be rounded up.
What do I do in areas which are some way from the fighting?
Stay in your district and carry on.
Go to work whether in shop, field, factory or office, do your shopping, send your children to school until you are told not to.
Do not try to go and live somewhere else.
Do not use the roads for any unnecessary journey; they must be left free for troop movements even a long way from the district where actual fighting is taking place.
Will certain roads and railways be reserved for the use of the Military, even in areas far from the scene of action?
Yes, certain roads will have to be reservations should be only temporary….
Whom shall I ask for advice?
The Police and A.R.P. wardens.
From whom shall I take orders?
In most cases from the police and A.R.P. wardens.
But there may be times when you will have to take orders from the military and Home Guard in uniform.
Is there any means by which I can tell that an order is a true order and not faked?
You will generally know your policeman and you’re A.R.P. wardens by sight and can trust them.
With a bit of common sense you can tell if a soldier is really British or only pretending to be so.
If in doubt ask a policeman or ask a soldier whom you know personally.
What does it mean when the church bells are rung?
It is a warning to the local garrison that troops have been seen landing from the air in the neighbourhood of the church in question.
Church bells will not be rung all over the country as a general warning that invasion has taken place.
The ringing of church bells in one place will not be taken up in neighbouring churches.
Will instructions be given over the wireless?
Yes, so far as possible.
But remember that the enemy can overhear any wireless message, so that the wireless cannot be used for instructions which might give him valuable information.
In what other ways will instructions be given?
Through the Press, by loudspeaker vans, and perhaps by leaflets and posters.
But remember that genuine Government leaflets will be given to you onlyby the policeman yourA.R.P. warden or your postman, while genuine posters and instructions will be put up only on Ministry of Information notice boards and official sites, such as police stations ,post offices, A.R.P. posts, town halls and schools.
Should I try to lay in extra food?
NO. If you have already laid in a stock of food, keep it for a real emergency, but do not add to it.
The Government has made arrangements for food supplies.
Will normal news services continue?
Yes. Careful plans have been made to enable newspapers and wireless broadcasts to carry on, and in case of need there are emergency measures which will bring you the news.
But if there should be some temporary breakdown in news supply, it is very important that you should not listen to rumours not pass them on, but should wait till real news comes through again.
Do not use the telephones or send telegrams if you can possibly avoid it.
Should I put my car, lorry, or motor bicycle out of action?
Yes. When you are told to do so by the police, A.R.P. wardens or military, or when it is obvious that there is an immediate risk of its being seized by the enemy, then disable and hide your bicycle and destroy your maps.
Should I defend myself against the enemy?
The enemy is not likely to turn aside to attack separate houses.
If small parties are going about threatening persons and property in an area not under enemy control and come your way, you have the right of every man and women to do what you can to protect yourself, your family and your home.
