Videos

The bazooka weapon was one of the first anti-tank weapons based on the HEAT shell to enter service, used by the United States Armed Forces in World War II. It was nicknamed a “bazooka” from a resemblance to the musical instrument. It was really  effective, so much so that the Germans copied it to produce their own version known as the Panzerschreck.

A Luger is an arm-locked pistol. It is semi-automatic, magazine-fed, and operates on the short-recoil principle. The pistol, designed by Georg Luger.The Luger P-08 was the standard sidearm for the German army during both world wars, but it about being replaced by the Walther P38 at war’s end.

There were no new instruments manufactured during world war 2, this was because the metal had to be used to make weapons. this meant the only musical instuments available were 2nd hand.

During  ww2 the popular music was jazz, swing and big band music. For this type of music the instruments used were bugle, drums, banjo, aucoustic guitar.

Music was used to help boost morale among the armed forces and also everybody else. (civilians)

It was a popular song during World War II, especially after Flanagan and Allen changed the lyrics to poke fun at the Germans (eg. Run Adolf, Run Adolf, Run, Run, Run……..)

On the farm, every Friday

On the farm, it’s rabbit pie day.

So, every Friday that ever comes along,

I get up early and sing this little song

Run rabbit – run rabbit – Run! Run! Run!

Run rabbit – run rabbit – Run! Run! Run!

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Goes the farmer’s gun.

Run, rabbit, run, rabbit, run.

Run rabbit – run rabbit – Run! Run! Run!

Don’t give the farmer his fun! Fun! Fun!

He’ll get by

Without his rabbit pie

So run rabbit – run rabbit – Run! Run! Run!

A gas mask is a mask put on over the face to protect the wearer from inhaling “airborne pollutants” and toxic gases. The mask forms a sealed cover over the nose and mouth, but may also cover the eyes and other vulnerable soft tissues of the face. Some gas masks are also respirators, though the word gas mask is often used to refer to military equipment (Field Protective Mask, ) (The user of the gas mask is not protected from gas that the skin can absorb.

(the mickey mouse gas mask for children)

No. 158 Squadron RAF was originally designated as a ground attack squadron that did not became operational in time to see action  during WWI. However during World War II, it was a bomber  squadron based atRAF Lisset. It saw lots of action and 851 airmen and women died during this time.

After World War II had ended in Europe the squadron operated in the transport role until disbandment in December 1945.

In December 2008 a 30 MW wind farm housing 12 turbines each 125 metres (410 ft) high was constructed across the western end of the airfield. A memorial sculpture to 158 Squadron in the form of seven airmen has been erected to the memory of the 851 airmen who did not return from operations at the the airfield.

Food rationing began in 1940. This meant each person could buy only a fixed amount of certain foods each week. People got for one person one egg,2oz of margarine,2oz of cooking fat,2oz of tea,8oz of sugar,1oz of cheese,4oz of bacon and ham and 2d meat.

Everyone had rationing books and everyone had a slogan ‘make do and mend’.