aire raid shelters?

Question

could you write me a small essay on air raid shelters: including morrison shelters, anderson shelters, etc. that were used in world war 2. I really appreciate your help.

Answer 1

The Anderson shelter was designed in 1938 by Sir John Anderson in response to a request from the Home Office. Many people believe it was named after Sir John Anderson, but it was actually named after David Anderson, then Lord Privy Seal with special responsibility for preparing air-raid precautions immediately prior to the outbreak of World War II, and it was he who then initiated the development of the shelter. After evaluation by Dr David Anderson, Bertram Lawrence Hurst, and Sir Henry Jupp, of the Institution of Civil Engineers, the design was released for production.

Anderson shelters were designed to accommodate up to six people. The main principle of protection was based on curved and straight galvanised corrugated steel panels. Six curved panels were bolted together at the top, so forming the main body of the shelter, three straight sheets on either side, and two more straight panels were fixed to each end, one containing the door — a total of fourteen panels. A small drainage sump was often incorporated in the floor to collect rainwater seeping into the shelter. The shelters were 6 ft (1.8 m) high, 4 ft 6 in (1.4 m) wide, and 6 ft 6 in (2 m) long. They were buried 4 ft (1.2 m) deep in the soil and then covered with a minimum of 15 in (0.4 m) of soil above the roof. The earth banks could be planted with vegetables and flowers, that at times could be quite an appealing sight and in this way would become the subject of competitions of the best-planted shelter among householders in the neighbourhood. The internal fitting out of the shelter was left to the owner and so there were wide variations in comfort.

Anderson shelters were issued free to all householders who earned less than £250 a year, and those with a higher income were charged £7. 150,000 shelters of this type were distributed from February 1939 to the outbreak of war. During the war a further 2.1 million were erected.

Because of the large number made and their robustness, many Anderson shelters still survive. Many were dug up after the war and converted into storage sheds for use in gardens and allotments.

Answer 2

I only know about 'anderson shelters' from what my Mum told me growing up. The air raid wardens came around London with corrugated tin about the length of a modern day coffee table and told them to dig a hole in the back yard and put this tin as the roof to stop shrapel from the German bombs that may explode nearby. She said it was horrible and she nearly lost her mind in the small space her father and her dug. She says you could hear the shrapnel and pieces of brick hitting the 'roof'.

I don't know about morrision shelters at all, but I do this little info helps you!