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London and the Second World War, 1939–45

London at the outbreak of the Second World War

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 1

Overview

Why London was a target as the seat of government, the Thames as a guide, the port and East End war work, the fall of France, deaths beside the wharves, Operation Pied Piper and evacuation, Anderson shelters, gas masks for adults, toddlers and babies, the blackout and barrage balloons.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Which natural feature helped German aircrew find their way to the capital at night?

Key term

Why did the Port of London matter so much to Britain's ability to keep fighting?

Key term

Name two kinds of war work carried on in the East End and its riverside.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Why did being the seat of national government make the capital a prize target for the Luftwaffe?

    Model answer

    Parliament, the Whitehall ministries and the war cabinet were all based there, so wrecking the city threatened the running of the whole country.

  2. 2

    Which natural feature helped German aircrew find their way to the capital at night?

    Model answer

    The Thames, a wide winding river that shone in moonlight and led bombers straight to the docks.

  3. 3

    Why did the Port of London matter so much to Britain's ability to keep fighting?

    Model answer

    It was the country's largest port, taking in much of the food, fuel and raw materials brought across the Atlantic by convoy.

  4. 4

    Name two kinds of war work carried on in the East End and its riverside.

    Model answer

    Weapons and shell filling at Woolwich Arsenal, and the engineering, chemical and food-processing factories packed around the wharves.

  5. 5

    Why could German bombers reach the capital so easily after June 1940?

    Model answer

    The defeat of France gave the Luftwaffe airfields just across the Channel, only a short flight from the Thames.

  6. 6

    Why did raids aimed at the wharves kill so many ordinary families?

    Model answer

    Terraced streets of dockworkers' housing stood right against the quays, so bombs meant for cargo sheds fell on homes.

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AThe huge loss of life left England short of workers.
BForeign craftsmen and labourers were wanted.
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