A-Z of the Second World War

C

Chamberlain, Neville. The Prime Minister who led Britain as we entered the war in 1939. he was a broken man as he had failed to keep the peace. His policy of  appeasement was one that tried everything to stop war. He has been seen by many as a weak leader which Hitler simply took advantage of. However, given that most people were not prepared to support war in the 1930s this may well be unfair.

Churchill, Winston. The British wartime Prime Minister. He replaced Neville Chamberlain at a very early stage of the war and was a very strong motivator of people with his moving speeches. He is the only non-Royal person who has received a State funeral.

Winston Churchill, may not look like it; but he inspired a nation at war.

Conscription. From the start of the war men from 18-41 had to register for war work. They would be called up either to fight or work in an essential industry. It was compulsory and those who refused were liable to imprisonment. People who have religious or morale objections to fighting are called conscientious objectors. They would have to go in front of a board and explain their beliefs. If this was accepted then they would be given a non-military role. 

Convoy system. The protection given to merchant ships from German submarines (U-boats) by sailing in groups under Royal Navy protection. By using this system the losses were dramatically reduced. The Convoy system was not a new idea and had been used in the First World War.

A convoy of ships seen from an American destroyer.