Meredith Owen
Dr. Abra
HIS 416
11/9/17
Keeping Calm and Carrying On
War is habitually remembered by details such as turning-point battles,
virtuoso military officers, or unfathomable death tolls. World War II is set apart by
its unique memory to the British – as the “people’s war.” This is characterized
through, at least by today’s standards, inconceivable mobilization of the home front
to support the war efforts.
The idea of a “people’s war,” sprouts from the fact that the civilian population
felt like it was their duty to go on the defensive to assist the protection of their
country. After seeing the German Luftwaffe turn civil war ridden Spanish cities such
as Guernica into Swiss cheese, the British took it upon themselves to not permit that
to happen in the “Land of Hope and Glory.” Even with conscription, British men
jumped at the chance to join the ranks of the British Army, the Royal Air Force, and
the Royal Navy. With the service-aged men gone, the women, children, and elderly
didn’t sit around watching and waiting; in fact… quite the opposite.
Older men volunteered to be plane spotters and members of the Home
Guard, also known as the “Dad’s Army.” The Home Guard was active from 1940 until
1945 and were the second string defense, if you will, to protect the coasts and
resource bases that would appeal to German bombers. Although Operation Pied
Piper evacuated approximately two million British children, many stayed with their
parents and aided in war efforts. One example is the Boy Scouts becoming the “Blitz
Scouts” and providing communication channels across unreachable areas affected
by the destruction of the Blitz. Both the young and old alike were vital to the home
front operation, but in my opinion, women played an especially integral role in
British victory.
The ladies of Britain have often been characterized by their stoicism and
unwavering composure, and this was no different in the war. The women went from
“housewife to heroine” in a matter of months by quickly stepping up to the roles
asked of them. With the men being drafted, this left the labor industry depleted.
Women quickly went to work in places like munitions factories and for groups such
as the Women’s Auxiliary Fire Service, Women’s Police Corps, and the Women’s
Voluntary Service. The Special Operation Executive also used women as spies.
Though they couldn’t be drafted for active duty, conscription was extended to
