How do you survive the blitz?

Answer 1

The BlitzThe heavy and frequent bombing attacks on London and other cities. Night after night, from September 1940 until May 1941, German bombers attacked British cities, ports and industrial areas. London was bombed every day and night for 11 weeks. One third of London was destroyed. The word ''Blitz'' is a shorten form of the German word ''Blitzkrieg'' which means ''Lightning War''.

Initially the bombing was done by aircraft, but later these were replaced by "Buzzbombs". Buzzbombs, the V1, were rockets that were loaded with explosive and ran out of fuel over London. Later still came the V2, like modern missiles, but luckily the war ended before they could do too much damage.

The population had to disappear underground into shelters whenever the warning sirens were heard and stay there until the "All clear". Many Londoners used the underground railway stations.

The objective of the Blitz was to break civilian morale but it failed and the British, with American help, retaliated by flattening Hamburg and Berlin.

AnswerIf you are talking about tactics?? This is debatable. First you need to understand the tactics behind the blitz. Then you need to try and stop it before it happens. Which in my opinion, since the German strategy was to do some bombing before the main attack to take out strong points, would be to try and have a large air force to prevent the German air attacks.

Blitz tactics where some of the hardest to stop in the world. During WW2 when the Germans used them they where close to impossible to stop. Because the Germans had such advanced technology and had huge armies. As you know what they did was bomb the enemy main defenses then send in the heavy armor followed by infantry to sweep up remaining forces that weren't killed. A big air force as recommend before wouldn't help that much do to the large number of German fighters in the air. If a air counter attack was mounted the bombers wouldn't be that damaged because a squad of bombers which is 4 in a square formation is covered by the each others machine gun fire which is 2 mg42s which where some of the best heavy machine guns of that war. And then the 1 or 2 or even more fighter squads. So an air counter attack wouldn't be the best choice to try and stop the attack. A big air force would help but that isn't the best way to defend yourself. Also if you had many AA (Anti Air) guns shooting that wouldn't help that much due to the you don't know whose planes are whose, sure it would help a little. And you don't want a huge land force of armor and infantry cause armor that isn't moving it is a very easy target. And infantry aren't very effective against tigers and king tigers or panzer IV and V. And even if the infantry where able to hold up the attack the German infantry would arive and easily destroy the tired wounded enemy. But say some how the armor survive against the bombing they wouldn't be very helpful because of the German powerful tank hunters. And if those didn't take care of the armor the German long range artillery would. And once the Germans captured a key point they where smart enough to build defence's

So in the end the best way to hold off against a German or any blitz attack is the following. (This will work best when holding a hill that has trees on it.) Station large amount of heavy armor and infantry behind or on the flanks of a key point. Make sure they are covered by something or not very visible because most German bomber crew where skilled. This may sound crazy but have some tanks and infantry in front of the key point so they look like they are defending it. Make sure they can move away fast or they will all die. Then have the point have some AA guns and MG (Machine Gun) nests covering all flanks. Make sure they are well supplied. Also have AT (Anti Tank) guns there too. Make sure they are hidden but can be moved fast. Have infantry with panzer-frosts or missile launchers with them but make sure they have guns to in case of a breach. In the center have artillery hidden but that can move to take out advance troops and provide fire support to defence points that are being overwhelmed. So the enemy attack bombs are going off. keep everyone hidden till its over. But you would need to call in your air force to attack the bombers while they are turning and bombing. At this time fighters wouldn't be as alert cause they are observing the destruction. Your planes should engage theirs as they are turning and bombing. As the air fighting is going on be sure to have all the AA guns working and with fresh crew for the best defence. After the bombing if the bombers and fighters report much damage has been taken on the enemy side the German armor will start moving. At a certain point in the war the enemy infantry where 3 days behind the armor so that is an advantage but not that big of one because of the other panzer columns could flank you and then you would be done. But anyway keep your armor and infantry that where hiding in hiding. Move artillery and AT guns to place. Set up your MG nest and leave any damaged armor where they are in the front in the front. They could stop enemy armor from moving as fast and provide cover for you infantry. If your armor in cover are damaged move them away as soon as possible They would stop a charge of your armor to flank the enemy. Have other units that should consist of armor and infantry close to come to your aid when needed. Also have that air force on call but with bombers this time to provide support for you units. When the enemy comes try to funnel them to charge the center. Have artillery shooting at them and when close enough the AT guns. Have your MG nest shooting at the infantry when they have good shots but not to much to give good targets for enemy armor. When they have a big chunk of units in the center rush out with the units in cover armor first with infantry following. Keep the fighting at a steady pace if you start to lose call in the units behind you. Send them up the flanks to sand which the enemy from all sides. Then call an air strike on the center only. Dive bombers would be best because of their greater accuracy compare to the huge carpet bombers. Have fighters just for the extra protection. If infantry are in sight send fighters to go and shoot them they wont have that big of chance against you because they don't have any AA weapons. If fighting is just not going your way at all and you are being slaughtered some how. You may have to retreat up the hill or call the really big carpet bombers but they have a bigger chance of hitting friendly units. But say the battle is going very well on your side and the enemy retreats you can follow and try to destroy them but be ambushed or stay back and let those units go and repair your defence for another attack. That's your call. That is most likely the best way to defend against a blitz attack. (Best if you are on a hill)

Answer 2

People had a lot of time to kill in air raid shelters during the blitz. These shelters were placed in the garden and were either entirely or partially underground. Generally speaking they would not survive a direct hit from a bomb but they were seen as safer than staying in a house.

The shelter would have had the basics for sleeping with wooden bed spaces and blankets and pillows. Some people would have had electricity going to the shelter and so would have been able to have a light and a radio. Radios were fairly big objects about the size of a bread bin.

People would do a number of things to pass the time, tell stories, read, listen to the radio, play records on a wind up gramophone, knit and sew. During the war the radio would have finished late at night and programmes would not continue until the morning. Quite often families would sing popular songs together, especially when they were played on the radio. Some people would have small Musical Instruments they would take into the shelter, like harmonicas and the family could listen or sing along.

Many people would not be able to sleep because they were frightened and they would worry that they or their family members would be killed by a bomb.

They would also listen out for aircraft engines overhead and try and work out whether they sounded like German or British aircraft. The sound they listened out for most was the siren which meant "all clear" which indicated that the air raid threat was over and they could return to the house.

Answer 3

people had to turn all of the lights off and make sure no windows are exposed. if a Sargent could see any light they would risk their lives and come and tell you they can see some light