1. World War 2 Gas Masks and Air Raid Shelters

2. Gas Masks

3. Gas masks were supplied to all people living in large towns and cities in Britian in the second World War.

4. Gas Masks Gas masks were supplied to all people living in large towns and cities in Britian in the second World War. The British expected that the Germans would use Gas as they had done in the trenches in the First World War.

5. Gas Masks Gas masks were supplied to all people living in large towns and cities in Britian in the second World War. The British expected that the Germans would use Gas as they had done in the trenches in the First World War. But since the 1 st World War, advances in flight meant that there was a strong possibility that the Germans would use planes to deliver poisonous gas over large parts of Britian.

6. Gas Masks Gas masks were supplied to all people living in large towns and cities in Britian in the second World War. The British expected that the Germans would use Gas as they had done in the trenches in the First World War. But since the 1 st World War, advances in flight meant that there was a strong possibility that the Germans would use planes to deliver poisonous gas over large parts of Britian. Initial estimates led Military men to warn the Government that they could expect to lose as many as 250,000 people in the first few months of the war.

7. Gas Masks Gas masks were heavy, awkward and uncomfortable to wear for any length of time.

8. Gas Masks Gas masks were heavy, awkward and uncomfortable to wear for any length of time. Inside, they got very hot and sweaty and before long it would be hard to see through the foggy glass.

9. Gas Masks Gas masks were heavy, awkward and uncomfortable to wear for any length of time. Inside, they got very hot and sweaty and before long it would be hard to see through the foggy glass. People were expected to carry their gas masks with them at all times.

10. Gas Masks Gas masks were heavy, awkward and uncomfortable to wear for any length of time. Inside, they got very hot and sweaty and before long it would be hard to see through the foggy glass. People were expected to carry their gas masks with them at all times. You could get into trouble if you did not have your gas mask with you and Police would stop and check that you had yours.

11. Gas Masks Even babies had to be fitted with masks.

12. Gas Masks Even babies had to be fitted with masks. In order to do this they were supplied with awkward suits to wear.

13. Gas Masks Even babies had to be fitted with masks. In order to do this they were supplied with awkward suits to wear. Imagine trying to put a crying baby in one of these suits at short notice!

14. Gas Masks In the end, the Nazis dropped many thousands of large, deadly bombs.

15. Gas Masks In the end, the Nazis dropped many thousands of large, deadly bombs. But they never dropped any Gas Bombs on Britian during the 2 nd World War.

16. Gas Masks In the end, the Nazis dropped many thousands of large, deadly bombs. But they never dropped any Gas Bombs on Britian during the 2 nd World War. All the same, people were terrified that they would.

17. Gas Masks In the end, the Nazis dropped many thousands of large, deadly bombs. But they never dropped any Gas Bombs on Britian during the 2 nd World War. All the same, people were terrified that they would. They lived for 5 years with the thought that at any moment they might be gassed.

18. Gas Masks In the end, the Nazis dropped many thousands of large, deadly bombs. But they never dropped any Gas Bombs on Britian during the 2 nd World War. All the same, people were terrified that they would. They lived for 5 years with the thought that at any moment they might be gassed. Not a very nice thing to be worried about.

19. Air Raid Shelters

20. The Military people who were preparing for war began to plan for the protection of civilians during bombardment.

21. Air Raid Shelters The Military people who were preparing for war began to plan for the protection of civilians during bombardment. People in Britain were encouraged to build small shelters in their gardens

22. Air Raid Shelters The Military people who were preparing for war began to plan for the protection of civilians during bombardment. People in Britain were encouraged to build small shelters in their gardens In cities, the government built large communal shelters for people who did not have gardens.

23. Air Raid Shelters At first, people were not allowed to take shelter in the London underground.

24. Air Raid Shelters At first, people were not allowed to take shelter in the London underground. They were still an important part of the transportation system for the people of London and being underground, were much less likely to be damaged during Air Raids.

25. Air Raid Shelters At first, people were not allowed to take shelter in the London underground. They were still an important part of the transportation system for the people of London and being underground, were much less likely to be damaged during Air Raids. But within a few weeks of the start of the Blitz, many people were afraid to be above ground at night and began to go underground late in the afternoon with blankets and food and drink for the night.

26. Air Raid Shelters At first, people were not allowed to take shelter in the London underground. They were still an important part of the transportation system for the people of London and being underground, were much less likely to be damaged during Air Raids. But within a few weeks of the start of the Blitz, many people were afraid to be above ground at night and began to go underground late in the afternoon with blankets and food and drink for the night. Generally, barring a direct hit, the underground was a very safe place to be during an Air Raid.