Evacuation explained for kids!

Summary

This video explores the evacuation of children from British cities to the countryside during the Second World War. Beginning on 1st September 1939, evacuation aimed to protect children from German bombing raids. Over 1.5 million children were sent to live with strangers, many experiencing the countryside for the first time and facing challenges like unfamiliar foods and animals. While some enjoyed the new environment, others struggled with fear and homesickness. The video highlights the logistical efforts, parental concerns, and the eventual impact of the Blitz, showing how over 3 million people were moved for safety. It invites viewers to imagine life as an evacuated child and encourages further exploration of WWII history.

Takeaways

• 🛫 Evacuation in WWII involved sending children from cities to the countryside for safety from German bombing raids.
• 📅 Evacuation began on September 1, 1939, two days before Britain officially declared war.
• 🏙️ The British government had a pre-planned strategy to move children safely to rural areas in anticipation of air raids.
• 🙋 Evacuation required many volunteers to coordinate children boarding trains, arriving at destinations, and being hosted by families.
• 👍 Evacuation was voluntary but widely supported by parents who wanted to protect their children.
• 👶 Over 1.5 million children were evacuated within the first three days of the program.
• 🌾 Many children had never been to the countryside and were unprepared for rural life, sometimes fearing animals or struggling with new foods.
• 🧳 Parents were advised to send children with essential items like warm coats, toothbrushes, and face cloths, but many children lacked proper supplies.
• ↩️ Some children returned home by January 1940 as bombing had not yet occurred, though the Blitz later forced further evacuations.
• ❤️ Evacuation was emotionally challenging for both children and parents but helped protect millions from wartime bombing, with over 3 million people evacuated during the war.

Q & A

What was the main purpose of evacuation during the Second World War?

The main purpose of evacuation was to move children from cities, which were at risk of German bombing raids, to the countryside, which was considered safer.

When did evacuation in Britain begin?

Evacuation began on the 1st of September, 1939, two days before Britain officially declared war.

Why did the British government have an evacuation plan ready before the war?

The government anticipated that bombing raids on big cities were likely if war occurred, so they prepared a plan to quickly relocate children to safety.

Who was involved in making the evacuation process happen?

Volunteers coordinated the children getting on and off trains and hosted them in their homes, ensuring the operation ran smoothly.

Was evacuation mandatory for children?

No, evacuation was voluntary, but it was popular because many parents wanted to protect their children from city bombings.

How many children were evacuated in the first three days?

Over 1.5 million children were evacuated to the countryside within the first three days.

What challenges did children face when moving to the countryside?

Many children had never been to the countryside before, some were afraid of animals like cows, and they had to live with strangers, which caused fear and homesickness.

What items were children advised to take with them?

Children were advised to take basic items such as a warm coat, face cloth, comb, and toothbrush, though many families were too poor to provide all of these.

Why did some children return to the cities by January 1940?

By January 1940, many expected bombing raids had not occurred, so nearly half of the evacuated children returned to the cities.

What was 'The Blitz' and how did it affect evacuation?

The Blitz, which began in 1940, was a period of heavy bombing in cities, leading many children to be evacuated again, although some parents chose to keep their children with them.

How many people were evacuated over the course of the Second World War?

Over 3 million people were evacuated to the countryside during the war.

How did evacuation impact parents and children emotionally?

Evacuation was emotionally difficult for both children, who were scared and homesick, and parents, who missed their children, though it helped keep them safe.