The Unsung Heroes of WWII: The Fire Watchers Who Saved Lives & Cities
Last Sunday, May 7th, the US National Fallen Firefighters Foundation honored firefighters who died in the line of duty. Flags were flown at half-mast. I must have missed the memo on this because I never realized there is a memorial day for firefighters. It made me curious about the history of firefighters during World War II, and I discovered a whole new element of life on the Home Front.
A New Weapon of War
At the end of World War I the incendiary bomb was developed but never used because the War was essentially over. When the Nazi Party came to power in the early 1930s, Germany began quietly re-arming, including producing many thousands of incendiary bombs. During World War II these became part of a plan to invade Britain.
The government had anticipated this and shortly before war was declared, Parliament authorized the formation of a voluntary fire service. Fire stations were set up in various places, from schools to factories. Thousands of stirrup pumps were produced and distributed. These portable pumps could be quickly attached to any nearby faucet.
Incendiary bombs were typically dropped along with high explosive bombs. They burned at tremendous temperatures of about 1830°F (1000°C) that could ignite anything they touched. Aside from provoking terror and panic, and causing devastation, incendiary bombs were bright enough to be seen from the air even in daylight. They highlighted bombing targets perfectly.
The Blitz
During a single night of the Blitz, more than 86,000 incendiary bombs were dropped on London. The London Fire Brigade recorded well over 2,000 fires that night. Several thousand were killed or seriously injured, and hundreds of acres were destroyed. All of this was in only one city, in one night.
Bombing happened in many places throughout Britain but London was a particular target. In the first Blitz in 1940, London was bombed 57 nights in a row. Bombing missions typically happened at night and often when the River Thames was at low tide, making water scarce. After long daytime hours of work to support the military and keep the Home Front together, citizens spent nights putting out fires and managing the aftermath of explosions.
Fire Watchers
More than putting out fires was needed. Catching fires at their inception could save untold damage and loss. This is where the fire watchers came in. Citizens took turns working in small groups to stand on top of buildings and watch for incendiary bombs. They reported fires quickly and took instant action to put out nearby blazes before they could do major damage. The government gave them authority to go into any building or dwelling, to put out fires. While tens of thousands were in bomb shelters, these brave souls were out in the open, watching the skyline for bombs and then dealing with them.
Peter Ginn, in Wartime Farm, confirms this invaluable work: “One of the main dangers that had been identified prior to the outbreak of war was the effect that incendiary bombs would have on a densely populated area. My grandfather was a firewatcher in London and would stand at night on top of a building in the city waiting for the bombs to drop and reporting the outbreak of fires.”
Setting Fires in Their Own Country
One of the ironies of the war in England was the way the government used incendiary fires as a reverse strategy. To help minimize colossal damage in urban areas—for example, bombs landing in chemical or paint factories—other areas were staged to look like bomb targets. Fake buildings, runways, and even inflatable tanks were used to draw enemy fire away from the most sensitive targets!
Fire watchers helped greatly with this plan. When the first round of enemy planes came through and dropped incendiary bombs, it was partly to light the way for the next groups on the way. Fire watchers worked with firefighters to put out the fires as quickly as possible, while others set up decoy fires in the staged areas. This led to a number of bombs being dropped on fields in the countryside rather than on helpless civilians in urban areas.
Dealing with Devastation
Thousands who were not fire watchers took shelter in subway stations. Food was prepared and placed along routes so people would be able to eat. Some of the most common offerings were pasties—pastry envelopes with a variety of fillings such as cold meat, potato or vegetables—turnovers, rolls with dried fruit, tea, coffee and cocoa.
“By the Blitz of 1940 the [Women’s Voluntary Service] had become the caretakers and facilitators of wardens, fire fighters, victims and refugees, providing food and drink round the clock and aftercare. It is this organization and others like it that made sure people didn’t go hungry, or thirsty, helped them find loved ones, and finally find shelter after the mass devastation of a bombing raid.”
Perhaps it was this organization—or one very like it—that provided Firefighters’ Cakes to weary firefighters during the Blitz. Apparently, they were baked in a sixth-floor kitchen during bombing! That was how citizens came together, “doing their bit” to maintain and protect while loved ones were fighting all over the world.
Firefighters’ Cakes are reminiscent of scones or American biscuits, with the addition of dried fruit. Because of rationing, the fruit provides a good deal of the light sweetness in these cakes. They are plain and simple, but comforting and filling. They lend themselves to any number of accompaniments—honey, molasses, butter, jam—but are good just plain.
During World War II in Britain, 793 firemen and 25 firewomen lost their lives and another 7,000 were seriously injured. This included a large number who were temporarily or permanently blinded by heat or sparks. How many more there might have been if not for fire watchers.
Firefighters' Cakes
Ingredients
Instructions
- Rub fat into flour and baking powder sieved together.
- Add other ingredients, including mashed potato, warmed.
- Make to a stiff dough with milk and water as quickly as possible.
- Put mixture in small heaps on baking sheet; bake in hot oven (400°F/200°C) 30 minutes.
References
Ginn, Peter, Goodman, Ruth and Langlands, Alex. Wartime Farm: Rediscovering the Skills and Spirit of World War II. London: Mitchell Beazley, 2012. Pp. 172-173.
Daily Telegraph. Good Fare: A Book of Wartime Recipes. London: Macmillan, 2008. p. 123.
My soul waits in hope for the Lord
More than the watchmen for the morning;
Yes, more than the watchmen for the morning.
Proverbs 130:6