Questions and Answers
The order for evacuation in the UK was given on September 1, 1939.
False
Nearly two million people were evacuated from cities during the first three days of September 1939.
False
Teachers were also evacuated along with schoolchildren during the evacuation in 1939.
True
Children were typically sent to stay with relatives during the evacuation process.
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A label giving each child's destination was tied to them during the evacuation.
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The government was not concerned about cities being bombed during World War II.
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Children waiting for selection by host families during evacuation were often calm and relaxed.
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A special team of officers was assigned to help find homes for evacuated children.
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Study Notes
Evacuation in the UK Before World War II
- Evacuation order issued at 11.07 a.m. on 31 August 1939, three days prior to World War II.
- Government fears of bombing raids targeting major cities: London, Coventry, Birmingham, and Portsmouth.
- Plans enacted to relocate civilians from urban areas to the safety of the countryside.
Scale and Process of Evacuation
- Nearly three million people evacuated from at-risk towns and cities within the first three days of September 1939.
- Primary evacuees included schoolchildren, teachers, mothers with young children, pregnant women, and disabled individuals.
- Some children were placed with relatives, while others lived with strangers in rural areas.
Logistics of Evacuation
- Each evacuated child was tagged with a label indicating their destination.
- Transportation of evacuees conducted via train and road to smaller towns and villages.
- Special officers assigned to assist in finding homes for the evacuees, facing significant challenges in placement.
- Often, children were lined up for selection by host families, leading to distress for those left unchosen.
Emotional Impact on Evacuees
- Many children experienced separation from their homes for the first time.
- The process of selection by host families caused anxiety and sadness among evacuees awaiting their fates.
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Description
This quiz explores the evacuation order given in the UK on August 31, 1939, just days before the onset of World War II. It highlights the government's efforts to protect citizens by relocating millions from urban areas to the countryside. Test your knowledge on this significant historical event and its implications.
