The invasion scare of June-September 1940 resulted in all road and railway signs and maps being taken down. Decorative iron railings were taken down and aluminum saucepans were collected to be recycled into Spitfires. Electricity was shut off in England for the entire length of the war. Crime rates increased significantly during this time, and the black market thrived.  |  Civilians were encouraged to join either the Air Raid Precautions (ARP) or the Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS). About 500,000 women joined the uniformed services, and both men and women were drafted into service. One in ten enlisted men was drafted to work in the coal mines. Many children were evacuated to the country so that they were out of German reach (pictured left). Food rationing was instituted in early 1940. Imported goods, even those that weren't food items, were divided equally among all people. |
