From: Tom Holloway (tom.holloway@u3a.org.uk)
Date: Wed Jul 07 1999 - 08:07:06 PDT
. Hello Laura Harrison - you said.... > I have read your web site and wondered if you would mind helping me. I am 14 > years old and I go to Bournmouth School for Girls. For my History work I > have to do a project on the Home Guard in the Second World War. My theory > that I have to prove or disprove is > > 'Evacuation was pointless' > > If possible I wondered if you could email me your thoughts and others > thoughts on the subject of evacuation.Also if you have any other information on this > subject I would be most grateful. I'm copying this reply to the MEMORIES list so that others may also respond (direct to Laura please - her address is lora1539@hotmail.com). It's difficult to know whether evacuation from London was pointless. I'm sure it saved many lives, although in some cases, such as the ship full of children sunk by U-boats while on their way to 'safety' in Canada, it actually led them into fatal danger. (Also, I now remember that in 1944 many children were evacuated out of London to areas of Kent that were right in the path of the Doodlebug flights - 'Doodlebug Alley' it was called). Perhaps you are right - although at the time it seemed to be a wise precaution. Perhaps other Elders will comment? ---------------- ALSO - you might find it useful to go to our archives at http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/memories.html and do a search on the word 'evacuated' and you should get about 30 or so stories that are worth reading for background. I hope you get good marks for your homework! =================== Tom Holloway tom.holloway@u3a.org.uk Tel: (+44) (0) 1926-771772 Fax: (+44) (0) 1926-771707