History Extra podcast The Blitz: everything you wanted to know
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Nov 3, 2024 Dan Todman, an insightful historian and author of Britain's War, shares compelling insights about the Blitz during World War II. He discusses how British civilians coped with bombings, highlighting their resilience and adaptations to daily life. Todman also tackles the myth of 'Blitz Spirit,' revealing its propaganda roots and the societal divides it both challenged and deepened. Additionally, he examines the psychological impacts of air raids, the strategies for sheltering, and the cultural reflections that emerged during this turbulent period.
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Defining the Blitz
- The Blitz primarily refers to German bombing raids on British cities from September 1940 to May 1941.
- However, German air attacks continued throughout the war, including the Baby Blitz in 1944 and V-weapon attacks.
German Bombing Strategy
- German bombing strategy involved economic warfare, targeting ports and industrial centers.
- It also aimed to break British morale by creating division between the working class and the elite.
Civilian Targeting
- The bombing of civilians was both intentional, as a means to lower morale, and unintentional.
- Inaccurate bombing technology meant civilian casualties were inevitable when targeting industrial or economic centers.