A-Z of the Second World War

H

Hiroshima. The target for the first Atomic Bomb. It was destroyed on the 6th August 1945 with the immediate loss of 80,000 people.

The effect of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

Hitler, Adolf. German leader and dictator who took leadership of Germany as Chancellor in 1933. He believed that the Germans were the Master Race and he was the Fuhrer, sole leader of this nation. Hitler believed he was destined to create a Reich or empire that would last a thousand years. One of his beliefs was anti-Semitism (hatred of Jews).

The caption reads, One People, One Reich, One leader.

Holocaust. This was the Nazis attempt to commit genocide (the destruction and murder of a complete race). Jews could not be citizens in Germany and as the war began Hitler ordered the sending of Jews to central points or ghettoes. From here they were transferred to death camps for what he called the Final Solution- their execution. Jews in Germany or German occupied territories had to wear a yellow star of David to let everyone know who they were.

Home Front. Not everyone could fight in the war. People generally wanted to do their bit. Fighting on the home front meant women doing jobs in factories, the Home guard, the Civil Defence Volunteers, rationing etc. Many schemes were of little value other than making people they were all working together. The collecting of pots and pans for airplanes was one such scheme.

Children collect pots for the war effort.

Home Guard. You may have seen these in the comedy series Dads Army. This force was made up of older men and people not fit enough to join the regular army. They would practice in case of an invasion. However, when they were first formed they were not issues with weapons and many practiced with broom handles! The usefulness of them, had Britain been invaded was extremely questionable. However, they did raise morale amongst those who joined. It made people feel that they were doing their bit.