Historic Events

WWII Photos of Portsdown

Created 02-12-2003    Last update 02-12-2003

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 Cosham ARP practise

 Cosham, September 1939. An ARP (Air Raid Precautions) squad during a practise session. They'll be calling on their skills time and time again in the grim years to come.

 
 
 
Cosham demob centre - 1945

 Six years after the previous photo was taken it was all over. This is June 1945 at the Cosham demob (de-mobilisation) centre. These Jacks are swapping their Navy rig for a complete civilian outfit. The centre reckoned it could turn a Sailor into a civilian in 15 minutes. 

 
 
 
Collecting aluminium at Drayton

Summer 1940. A first-aid post at Drayton is used as a collection point for scrap aluminum in the form of old saucepans. As the poster explains in the background the re-cycled metal was to be used to build Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft. Some authorities claim this was no more than a morale boosting exercise and that although the scrap was reused none of it found its way into an aeroplane fuselage.

 
 
 
Farlington Church Vestry

The west-end of the Church of the Resurection in Drayton  being used as an improvised classroom for children whose parents had obviously decided against evacuation.

With thanks to David Francis for photo interpretation

 
 
 
Portchester barrage balloon site

Early 1940 at Portchester. It must be difficult enough to operate a Barrage Balloon but this crew is doing it whilst wearing full anti-gas clothing. The purpose of these balloons was to provide a lethal obstruction to enemy aircraft - in the form of the attached cable - making ground attack and low flying much more difficult. Up to 32 balloons were deployed in the Portsmouth area and were operated by 932 Squadron RAF Balloon Command.

 
 
 
Portchester waste paper collection

These lads are doing their bit by collecting waste paper at Portchester. During WWII everything was re-cycled.

 
 

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