A-Z of the Second World War

E

El Alamein. At the beginning of the war general Wavell had significant successes against the Italians (Germany's allies) in North Africa. But it was not long before Hitler sent one of his top generals; Rommel. As he arrived things turned around and the British were forced back. They lost everything they had gained and it was looking like a total defeat in this area until Churchill introduced a new British commander; Montgomery. Montgomery began to reorganise the British, but perhaps more importantly he gave them self-belief. Using cautious tactics he won a great victory at El Alamein in Egypt (23 October- 4 November 1942). This meant the oilfields stayed in British hands and the tide of the warwas to change. Churchill  said about El Alamein "before El Alamein we never had a victory. After it we never had a defeat".

Enigma. The German code machine that was almost impossible to crack. Fortunately a machine was found and through the hard work of code-breakers at Bletchley Park it was finally cracked. Once the German code was known many lives were saved and the war was shortened.

A German Enigma machine. Was finally cracked due to a mistake made by a German operator.

Evacuations. When the war began it was decided that children from the major cities should be sent to live in rural villages and small towns. They would be safe from the targeting of German bombers. This was a very emotional time for many people and children who were evacuated had very different experiences. Some were split up from their brothers and sisters, some had great times in the country and did not want to return. Others found themselves the brunt of abuse and terrible sadness.

Children on a train waving goodbye to their parents as they are evacuated.