The Blitz Myth

The worst crisis since the Second World War, no-one can deny that the current pandemic is probably one of the most serious threats to modern society in the last 100 years, perhaps with the exception of the climate emergency. With the comparisons to the Second World War, come the inevitable calls (in Britain at least) for the Blitz Spirit and it could be argued that in this Brexit era there are some parts of the country that have a nostalgic desire to relive the apparent community spirit which saw Britain through the German bombing campaign of 1940-41.

There are a number of issues with comparing the current crisis with the Second World War and specifically Britons’ experience of the Blitz. Firstly, it’s bad history because the Blitz Spirit itself was an invention of the time, which has been exaggerated and perpetuated as a popular myth in the British psyche ever since. That’s not to say that there wasn’t an immense community spirit which helped see Britain through its darkest hour. However, the extent of this united community has been exaggerated and ignoring that hinders not only our understanding of Britain during the Blitz but can also have damaging repercussions for our current situation.

One recurring image of Britain during the Blitz was huddled crowds sheltering in underground tunnels, singing, eating and helping each through yet another night of German bombing. While this image is completely true, it is worth remembering that the majority of Londoners were able to find refuge in the underground and in fact over 50% of Londoners were without any shelter whatsoever. This image has hidden a dark truth about Londoners safety during the Blitz, the truth is that there was not enough shelter for everyone and often the shelters built were as dangerous as the bombs falling from above. Also, as is sadly too often the matter in these situations the poorer areas of London were those without adequate shelter.

Rather than unite British society the Blitz in many ways exemplified the class divisions which had already been bitterly enhanced by the First World War and the interwar depression. This can be seen in the contrast between the image we are presented of the average stoic Londoner keeping calm and carrying on and those that the King and Queen encountered during a trip to the East End. Where rather than working their usual royal magic they were booed by the crowds, no doubt because they represented the personification of privilege – despite the good work that they did during the war.

Like all myths there are elements of truth and at the time, as well as in subsequent crises the idea of the Blitz spirit helped to boost morale at a point when Britain’s conflict with Nazi Germany was at its most critical. Myths can be useful, and morale is definitely important, especially for Britain for in this troubling time. Nevertheless, the Blitz myth can be harmful both to our understanding of history as well as in the current situation.

For example, you only have to watch Good Morning Britain to know that if you are critical of this idea of the Blitz Spirit you are immediately labelled as unpatriotic and undermining the fight against COVID-19. During the Blitz, to criticise was to be a traitor and as such constructive criticism was brushed under the carpet and this meant that issues such as the psychological effects of the Blitz, the inadequate shelter provision and Britain’s own bombing campaign were not addressed at the time and are still rarely discussed outside of historical circles. This is worryingly in our current situation because at least during the Second World War there was a level of parliamentary oversight in addition to a government of national unity – we have neither at the moment, combined with the Coronavirus Act which has given the government unprecedented power. I hope that Brexit doesn’t repeat itself and our desire to relive ‘historic’ nostalgia blinds us to present mistakes.