The World War Two Blackout: When Britain Turned Out the Lights

The World War Two Blackout: When Britain Turned Out the Lights

Today I want to take a look at something that affected almost every person living in Britain during the Second World War. That was the blackout. It is something many people have heard of, but I think it is easy to underestimate just how much it changed people’s lives and how frightening it may have felt. I want to compare it a little to the First World War, because blackouts existed then too, but not on the same scale.

During the First World War, Britain did experience air raids, especially from German Zeppelins and later bomber aircraft. So some towns and cities were asked to dim or shield their lights at night to make it harder for enemy aircraft to spot their targets. But the threat in the First World War was far less than in the Second World War. Air power was still relatively new, and bombing raids were far less frequent and less devastating. 

By the late 1930s, things were very different. Aviation had advanced, and there was a real fear that German bombers would easily be able to find British cities by following lights from streets, homes, factories, and vehicles. Many people believed that a new war would begin with devastating bombing from the air. That fear was very real.

The blackout officially began on the 1st of September 1939, just two days before Britain declared war on Germany. Across Britain, lights had to go out at night. Street lamps were switched off or heavily dimmed. Homes had to cover their windows with thick curtains, blackout cloth, cardboard, or dark paper so that no light could escape. Even the smallest crack in the curtains led to complaints or official warnings.

People obviously needed supplies to make this work. Blackout curtains became essential. Some families used heavy dark fabric, others improvised using blankets, paper, or even painted glass. Car headlights were also restricted with narrow slits so only a small amount of light showed. Torch use became common, but you even had to be careful with them.

People had to know exactly when the blackout restrictions began each day, as the times changed with the seasons.

 Newspapers regularly printed blackout times, and these were also announced on the radio, including by the BBC. Factories, shops, and workplaces usually displayed notices so that workers could check before they headed home. Routines often revolved around the blackout. Families would rush home to draw the curtains, and prepare before it got dark.

The blackout helped protect Britain from enemy bombers, but it created new dangers. Suddenly, the streets became hazardous. People struggled to see kerbs, walls, steps, and road edges and accidents increased. Pedestrians were hit by vehicles, cyclists crashed, and elderly people often had falls. In the first months alone, thousands were injured, and many people died in blackout-related accidents.

Some estimates suggest that around 4,000 people may have been killed in accidents during the early blackout period and many more were injured.

The blackout was strictly enforced by Air Raid Precautions wardens and the police. Wardens patrolled looking for any light. If light did escape from a house, they might knock on the door and demand it be fixed immediately. It was taken extremely seriously. Repeat offenders could even be fined. As you can imagine, this could cause some tension, as people were already stressed and exhausted.

Emotionally, the blackout was difficult. Many people were anxious and felt isolated and claustrophobic. Darkness made life even harder. Children were also frightened and elderly people often felt vulnerable. But there was also resilience. Families adapted. Neighbours helped one another. 

The blackout continued throughout most of the war and finally ended on the 30th of April 1945, just days before victory in Europe. After nearly six years the lights were slowly returned to Britain. 

It must have been very strange that first night when the lights came back. Relief, maybe. After years of fear and sacrifice, Britain could finally shine once again.

Do you think you would have coped with years of living with the blackout?