Living in the Shadow of World War II

The most fundamental need of any society is a reliable food supply. During WW2, every combatant nation introduced some form of rationing - but that was only the start of the business of keeping the population fed. From substitute ingredients and ersatz recipes to digging-up golf courses and football pitches to increase agricultural output – we see the memories of those who queued, scrounged and dug for victory.

Total war extends the battlefields – in the Second World War, for the first time, civilian casualties far outnumbered those of military personnel. And a significant proportion of those casualties were victims of the bombing campaigns waged by both sides. What was the effect of living through “the Blitz”, what precautions were taken, what forms of shelter were constructed? We hear and see stories of the evacuation of children and the organisation of home defence.

Every nation involved in the Second World War recognised that maintaining the morale of the population was vital. Everywhere a great effort was made to offer entertainment, diversion and often to package it with the reassurance that the cause was just and victory certain. Radio and cinema were the great mass communicators of the day and we see examples of some of the performers and productions that helped to lighten the darkness of living in the shadow of war.