Bombing, Rationing, Labour Shortages and Refugees Flashcards

Why did the Allies bomb German cities during the Second World War?

To damage war industry and transport and to try to break morale.

Name two German cities that were heavily bombed.

Hamburg and Dresden.

What is a firestorm, and which German city had one in 1943?

A huge blaze that feeds itself and spreads fast; Hamburg in 1943.

When did food rationing start in Germany, and how did people get food?

It began in 1939. People used ration cards to buy fixed amounts.

Which everyday items were rationed in wartime Germany?

Food like meat, fat, sugar and bread, plus clothes, fuel and soap.

What does ersatz mean, and give one example.

It means a substitute item. For example, coffee made from barley or acorns.

Why did Germany have labour shortages in the war?

Millions of men left for the army, and factories needed more workers.

How did the Nazis try to deal with labour shortages?

They brought in more women, used foreign and forced workers, and raised hours.

What did Goebbels’ call for “Total War” in 1943 mean for civilians?

Longer hours, tighter rationing, fewer luxuries, and more women sent to work.

How did Germans try to protect themselves during air raids?

They used sirens, shelters and cellars, blackouts, and fire crews to fight fires.

What was Kinderlandverschickung (KLV)?

The evacuation scheme that sent children from cities to the countryside to escape bombing.

Who were the refugees in 1944-45, and what forced them to flee?

German civilians from the east and people from ruined cities. They fled the Soviet advance and heavy bombing.

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