Air Raid Precautions

Canada was far from the front lines in Europe, Asia, and Africa, yet there was still a real fear of bombings. To prepare civilians, the Canadian government created the Federal Office of Civil Air Raid Precautions (ARP).

Several pamphlets were published by the ARP to educate Canadians on how to act in the event of an air raid. These included information on the new strategic bombing being used in the conflict and how to deal with new incendiary bombs that pose greater threats to bodily harm. Some booklets explained how to create air raid shelters in one’s home and blackout instructions. There were also publications specifically directed at women explaining basic first aid, what to wear during an air raid, and how to keep children safe.

YOU CAN VIEW THIS COLLECTION OF ARP ARTIFACTS ABOVE OUR “BOMB SHELTER” OFF THE KITCHEN.

A major part of the ARP program was the ARP wardens and community officials. These were volunteer men and women who were trained to assist the public in the event of an emergency. They served two important functions: preparing Canadians for air raids and assisting communities in emergencies. For example, wardens were responsible for distributing ARP literature and running practice blackouts. Canadians were also encouraged to rely on local ARP officials, including wardens and architects, for help constructing their shelter or designating and preparing their refuge room. In the event of an emergency, Canadians were responsible for informing their local Air Raid Warden the exact location of their at-home shelter or refuge room and wardens were trained to manage community shelters during an air raid.

The Second World War caused a significant increase in emergency preparedness as the threat of strategic and civilian bombings escalated. Governmental organization dedicated to civil defence would expand as the world entered the era of the Cold War and realized the threat of nuclear attack.

Airplanes were certainly used in the First World War, but planes as weapons of war took on new roles during WWII. Developments in aviation in the interwar years allowed for planes to fly faster, farther, and carry heavier loads than in the previous conflict. Strategic bombing was practiced during WWI, but during the Second World War it was a major tactic. Bombing during WWII had two main targets: strategic targets, like munitions factories, air strips, and harbours; and civilian targets, like major cities. The intention behind hitting strategic targets was to limit the ability of an enemy nation to supply and perform acts of war; the latter was a direct attack on the morale of one’s enemies. There are infamous attacks on Allied centres, like the Blitz; however, the Allies also participated in civilian bombing. The devastating bombing of Dresden, Germany in February 1945 is one example. Such significant threats to civilian populations on the home front is one reason why WWII was considered a “total war.” This blog series will look at civilian bombing during the Battle of Britain, a few popular types of air raid shelters, and how the Canadian government prepared civilians for the potential of an air raid.