Living in the Shadow of WWII

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.

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.

Every nation involved in the Second World War recognized 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.