Anderson shelters were a practical solution to a drastic problem: during World War Two, as the threat of aerial bombardment loomed over Britain, millions of these structures were erected in gardens across Britain. Typically made of corrugated iron and then covered in soil, they offered households vital protection from German bombing campaigns.
When were Anderson shelters distributed in WW2?
They were distributed between February 1939 and the start of the Second World War that September. The shelters were given to people in areas that were at risk of being bombed by the Germans. Over the course of World War 2, another 2.1 million Anderson shelters were built in gardens around the country.
Why is it called an Anderson shelter?
It was named after Sir John Anderson, the man responsible for preparing Britain to withstand German air raids. Anderson shelters were designed for 6 people. The construction of the shelter was reasonably simple. The main part of the shelter was formed from six corrugated steel panels.
What was the first shelter in WW2?
The first ‘Anderson’ shelter was erected in a garden in Islington, London on 25 February 1939 and, between then and the outbreak of the war in September, around 1.5 million shelters were distributed to people living in areas expected to be bombed by the Luftwaffe. During the war a further 2.1 million were erected.
What was the Anderson air raid shelter made of?
The Anderson air raid shelter, made of curved corrugated steel sheet, saved many lives during the Blitz of the major cities. Designed by the British Steelworks Association in early 1939, the structure was 6ft.6 in. long, 6 ft. high and 4 ft. 6 in. wide and was made of 14 gauge galvanised steel sheet.
How many Anderson shelters were there in WW2?
What is an Anderson Shelter?
How many people can a shelter hold?
When was the first Anderson shelter built?
Who was the British Prime Minister in charge of the Air Raid Shelter?
Is Anderson shelter still used?
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What were Anderson Shelters ww2?
What were Anderson Shelters? These shelters were half buried in the ground with earth heaped on top to protect them from bomb blasts. They were made from six corrugated iron sheets bolted together at the top, with steel plates at either end, and measured 6ft 6in by 4ft 6in (1.95m by 1.35m).
Why were shelters used in ww2?
The first German air attack took place in London on the evening of September 7th 1940, within a few months other cities such as Liverpool, Birmingham and Coventry were being bombed too. People needed shelters to protect themselves from these falling bombs being dropped by German aircrafts.
What was the most used shelter in ww2?
The Anderson shelterThe Anderson shelter The most widely used home shelter was the Anderson. Officially called the 'sectional steel shelter', it was universally referred to as 'the Anderson', after Sir John Anderson, the architect of air-raid protection before the war and the first wartime Home Secretary.
How effective were Anderson shelters in ww2?
The Anderson shelters reduced deaths in the UK by 90% During WWII, the United Kingdom suffered from very intense bombing by German forces. Around 500,000 people were killed in German bombing attacks, but, thanks to the Anderson shelters, the deaths caused by air attacks were reduced by 90%.
What did people keep in an Anderson shelter?
first aid kits and chemical toilets. Underground stations were not completely safe as bomb shelters – they were still vulnerable to a direct hit. It is estimated that over 170,000 people used the London Underground as an air raid shelter during the Blitz.
What was kept in an Anderson shelter?
Anderson shelters were WW2 bomb shelters primarily for back gardens. They came in a range of sizes suitable for medium to large families. Early in WW2, when London was bombed nightly by the Luftwaffe, there was a shortage of bomb shelters for people to take cover.
Did Anderson shelters have toilets?
First aid facilities and chemical toilets were also supplied. The underground stations housed only 170,000 people during World War Two bombing raids, but they were regarded as one of the safest forms of shelter.
How many people could fit in an Anderson shelter?
Anderson Shelter Designed to accommodate up to six people the government supplied them free to low income families and later sold to others to wealthier people. 1.5 million Anderson shelters were distributed in the months immediately leading up to the outbreak of war.
How were Anderson Shelters Safe?
Anderson shelters were named after Sir John Anderson, the lord privy seal in charge of air raid precautions in 1938, and were made from corrugated steel or iron panels that formed a semi-circular shape. They were designed to be dug into people's gardens to protect families from air raids.
Did air raid shelters have toilets?
Did you know: the shelters had basic amenities: electric lights, benches and bunk beds, flushing toilets, first aid post and sick bay. There were even facilities for nursing mothers. in the war the shelters were nicknamed the Chestergate Hotel because of the 'luxurious' standard of accommodation they offered.
Did air raid shelters allow dogs?
Public Air Raid Shelters : no smoking : dogs, cats and other pets not allowed in shelters.
How much is an Anderson shelter worth?
Around three million Anderson shelters were erected across Britain during the Second World War. Some of the corrugated iron structures survive to this day – with some selling for around £1,000.
What were air raid shelters used for?
Air raid shelters are structures for the protection of non-combatants as well as combatants against enemy attacks from the air. They are similar to bunkers in many regards, although they are not designed to defend against ground attack (but many have been used as defensive structures in such situations).
Did air raid shelters have toilets?
Did you know: the shelters had basic amenities: electric lights, benches and bunk beds, flushing toilets, first aid post and sick bay. There were even facilities for nursing mothers. in the war the shelters were nicknamed the Chestergate Hotel because of the 'luxurious' standard of accommodation they offered.
Did air raid shelters work?
Anderson shelters were effective only if half buried in the ground and covered in a thick layer of earth. They were therefore inherently cold, dark and damp. In low-lying areas the shelters tended to flood, and sleeping was difficult as the shelters did not keep out the sound of the bombings.
How did many people on the homefront support the war effort during World War 2?
Many Americans supported the war effort by purchasing war bonds. Women replaced men in sports leagues, orchestras and community institutions. Americans grew 60% of the produce they consumed in “Victory Gardens”. The war effort on the United States Home Front was a total effort.
Why is it called an Anderson shelter?
The Anderson shelters were made from corrugated steel or iron panels and formed a semi-circular shape. They were dug into people ‘s gardens to protect them from the wind and rain.
How much did the Anderson shelter cost?
In the early years of the 20th century, the number of homeless people in the UK was estimated to be between 1.5 million and 2 million.
What did an Anderson shelter smell like?
They always smelled like damp. There was a hessian curtain at each end of the shelter, with an Elsan closet in it. It had a distinctive smell. The first big fire broke out in the house on the night of the 27th April 1942. It was so big that the firemen could not get to it in time to put it out.
How many Anderson shelters are there?
This site contains information about the fifteen standard (or near-standard) domestic Anderson shelters that remain in their original position, and about the design and construction of such shelters.
Did Anderson shelters survive?
Other Anderson shelters have been moved, rebuilt and/or used for other purposes, or survived because they were clad in concrete. Information about these shelters is in the Archive, also below. There were several other sorts of bomb shelter, including Morrison shelters, public shelters in tube stations, and concrete shelters built ...
What was the Anderson shelter named after?
The Anderson shelter was designed in 1938. It was named after Sir John Anderson, the man responsible for preparing Britain to withstand German air raids. Anderson shelters were designed for 6 people. The construction of the shelter was reasonably simple.
How many people were in Anderson shelters?
Anderson shelters were designed for 6 people. The construction of the shelter was reasonably simple. The main part of the shelter was formed from six corrugated steel panels. Flat corrugated steel panels were bolted on to form the sides and end panels (one of which contained the door).
How tall was the shelter in the sandbox?
The shelters measured 1.4m wide, 2m long and 1.8m tall. They were quite cramped and someone taller than 6ft would not have been able to stand up in one.
Did Anderson shelters survive?
Many Anderson shelters have survived to this day. Lots were dug up and used as garden sheds. Families were provided with the materials and were expected to construct the Anderson shelters from a set of instructions.
How many Anderson shelters were there in WW2?
Over 1.5 million Anderson shelters were given out before the start of WW2. They were distributed between February 1939 and the start of the Second World War that September. The shelters were given to people in areas that were at risk of being bombed by the Germans.
What is an Anderson Shelter?
The Anderson shelter was an air raid shelter designed to accommodate up to six people. It was designed in 1938 by William Paterson and Oscar Carl (Karl) Kerrison in response to a request from the Home Office.
How many people can a shelter hold?
Shelters could hold up to six people and were incredibly strong. The corrugated sheets made them extra strong against compressive force and was perfect for protecting from nearby bomb explosions.
When was the first Anderson shelter built?
The first Anderson shelter was built in 1939. It was built in a garden in Islington, London on February 25, 1939. Over 1.5 million Anderson shelters were given out before the start of WW2.
Who was the British Prime Minister in charge of the Air Raid Shelter?
Below are some interesting facts and information on this very important air raid shelter. In 1938 the British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain placed Sir John Anderson in charge of air raid precautions. Anderson worked with an engineer called William Patterson to design and ball a small, inexpensive air raid shelter that people could build in ...
Is Anderson shelter still used?
Many Anderson shelters are still in use today. A lot of people dug up the old shelters when the war ended to use them as garden sheds. A lot of Anderson shelters were decorated by their owners. This could include growing flowers or vegetables on the roof.
