Bangor
During World War II
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Germany invaded
Poland.Frantic dipplomatic efforts were now made to resolve the
situation as a sense of urgency loomed over the destiny of Europe
& the world.Hitlar was given a 24 hour ultimatum by the British
Government to withdraw his troops. By 11-0'clock (the deadline)
on Sunday 3rd September 1939 no response was received from Berlin.So
it was that at 11-15 on Sunday, September 3rd British Prime Minister
Neville Chamberlain announced to the nation that war had been declared
on Germany. Events were now set in place for the most dramatic time
that was to devastate lives everywhere. There was no one who would
be untouched by what was to follow in the next few years. It was
indeed called " the war to end all wars" World War 2 had
began.
Bangor like
everywhere else now in Britain was in preservation mode.Blackouts
were enforced from sunset to sunset, streets unlit at night, car
headlights masked. Food stocks needed to be preserved and rationing
was now enforced, same also on clothes, petrol etc, all were in
short supply. But from these hardships and shortages come wonderful
stories passed down through generations of inovation and servival.
The re-used tea leaves, the rag coats and mats, bread and drippin,Pom
mash potato, syrup in everything in your tea,on your bread, Condensed
Milk,Oxo as gravy, to name a few and I can still remember my bewilderment
when told the reciepe for"turkey Pie" which was nothing
more than bread in a bowl with boiled water, salt,pepper and small
dab butter if you were lucky enough to have any.The home guard was
formed, the carrying of gas masks became daily habits, rumours of
spies abounded and Italian nationals were interned. Railings disapeared
for salvage and hospital beds were kept empty for air raid casualties,
identity cards were compulsory if challanged by police or member
of Home Guard in Uniform.A
Ho
Bangor Mountain
& Roman camp were now the home of Searchlight batteries and
Lewis Guns and the sound of Enemy bombers could be heard as they
made their way for Liverpool at night. Landmines were dropped on
Maesgeirchen killing three and injuring fourteen it damaged over
two hundred houses on the Estate. Roadsigns and milestones were
removed to confuse an enemy agent and Church bells only rang as
a warning of parachSir Winston Chirchill MPute landings.
