World War II Operation Pied Piper

Questions and Answers

What was the primary goal of operation Pied Piper?

To transport military equipment across the country

To recruit soldiers for the war effort

To evacuate civilians from high-risk areas (correct)

To distribute food to those in need

Who headed the Anderson Committee that developed the government evacuation plan?

Sir John Anderson (correct)

Winston Churchill

Neville Chamberlain

Clement Attlee

Which area was categorized as an Evacuation area under the government plan?

East Anglia

Wales

Kent

Glasgow (correct)

How many children were evacuated during operation Pied Piper within the first three days?

673,000 Signup and view all the answers

Which organization played a significant role in comforting evacuated children?

The Women’s Voluntary Service Signup and view all the answers

What was included in the kit that children had to carry during evacuation?

A change of under-clothing Signup and view all the answers

Why did some parents choose not to evacuate their children despite government encouragement?

They preferred to keep their family together. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the song 'Goodnight Children Everywhere'?

To ease the separation pain for children Signup and view all the answers

Which item was NOT mentioned as part of the children's evacuation kit?

A pair of gloves Signup and view all the answers

What did the government do to encourage evacuation among parents?

Created propaganda posters promoting cooperation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Operation Pied Piper Overview

Initiated at the start of the Second World War to evacuate civilians from bomb-risk areas.
Plan developed in summer 1938 by the Anderson Committee, led by Sir John Anderson.
Final version, Government Evacuation Scheme, completed by November 1938.

Area Classifications

The country was divided into three area types:
- Evacuation Areas: Major cities such as London, Birmingham, and Glasgow.
- Reception Areas: Safer rural regions like Kent, East Anglia, and Wales.
- Neutral Areas: No movement of evacuees in or out.

Evacuation Groups

Evacuees categorized into four groups:
- School-age children.
- Disabled individuals.
- Pregnant women.
- Mothers with babies or pre-school children.

Logistics of Evacuation

By summer 1939, London County Council (LCC) arranged transportation and accommodations.
Operation began on 1 September 1939 with children gathering in schools.
An extensive logistical undertaking involving thousands of volunteers.
London had 1,589 assembly points with trains departing every nine minutes for nine hours.

Transportation Methods

Children evacuated by train and some even by ship from the River Thames to East Anglia.
Teachers, local authority officials, and 17,000 Women's Voluntary Service (WVS) members provided support.

Evacuation Statistics

Over three days, 673,000 children relocated, many accompanied by teachers and WVS staff.
Each child was instructed to carry a kit with essential items, including a gas mask, clothing, sanitary items, and food.

Parental Involvement and Sentiment

Evacuation was voluntary; some parents opted not to participate despite government messaging.
Many parents believed the countryside was safer for their children, although separation was distressing.
To alleviate the pain of separation, the song "Goodnight Children Everywhere" was broadcast nightly by the BBC, written by Gary Rogers and Harry Philips in 1939.

Description

Explore the details of Operation Pied Piper, the evacuation plan implemented in Britain at the beginning of the Second World War. Learn about the development of this plan, initiated by the Anderson Committee and refined by the London County Council, to protect civilians from the impending bomb threats. Dive into how these efforts were organized and executed in response to the war.