Living In The Shadow of WWII

During WWII, every combatant nation had food rationing, but that was only the start of the business of keeping the population fed.

Total war extends the battlefields - in the Second World War, for the first time, civilian casualties far outnumbered those of military personnel. A significant proportion were victims of the bombing campaigns by both sides. What was the effect of living through "the Blitz", what precautions were taken, what forms of shelter were constructed? We hear and see stories of the evacuation.

Every nation involved in the Second World War recognized that the morale of the population was vital. Everywhere a great effort was made to offer entertainment, diversion and the reassurance that the cause was just and victory certain. Radio and cinema were great mass communicators. We see some of the performers and productions that helped to lighten the darkness of living in the shadow of war.