Welcome to this deck on London and the Second World War, from 1939 to 1945. This is a historic environment study for your GCSE History exam. We'll explore why London was such a crucial target, how the city prepared for war, and the devastating impact of the Blitz and the V-weapon attacks. We'll also look at how Londoners responded and, importantly, how to use historical sources to investigate this period.

To understand the war's impact on London, we first need to know why it was so important. London wasn't just Britain's biggest city; it was the heart of the British Empire and the war effort. It was the seat of government, centred on Whitehall, and home to the Royal Family. It was also a massive industrial centre and contained the Port of London, one of the world's busiest ports. For Hitler, attacking London offered a chance to destroy British industry, disrupt government, and, most importantly, break the morale of the British people.

Even before war was declared in 1939, the British government knew that cities would be bombed. They began to prepare. One of the biggest measures was 'Operation Pied Piper', the mass evacuation of over one and a half million children, mothers, and other vulnerable people from cities to the safer countryside. Everyone, including babies, was issued with a gas mask in a cardboard box. Strict blackout regulations were enforced by Air Raid Precaution, or A R P, wardens, to make it harder for bombers to see their targets at night. And for protection during raids, the government issued Anderson shelters.