Ymgyrchu! - War and Peace - The Second World War

The Second World War

Britain and France declared War on Germany following Adolf Hitler's invasion of Poland in 1939. During the first two years of fighting 200,000 people came to live in Wales from England. They came to escape the German bombs that were being dropped on the industrial areas and the larger ports. Many of these were children including 50,000 of whom were taken to the Rhondda.

Evacuees
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By 1939 the government had distributed gas masks among the people of Wales because of the threat of poisonous gas attacks. The government encouraged women to be very careful with the foods that were available, promoting experimentation with alternative recipes and ingredients.

The women's Land Army had been trained to do work traditionally done by men on farms, and there were many posters calling on farmers to turn their land frequently to improve agricultural produce.

Recruiting Rally
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The Peacemakers

Rose-red sky above the snow
Where bombed Swansea is alight,
Full of my father and mother I go,
I walk home in the night.
They are blest beyond hearing,
Peacemakers, children of God.

Neither, within their home, abuse
Nor slander could be found.
Mam would look for an excuse
For the biggest scoundrels round.
They are blessed beyond hearing,
Peacemakers, children of God.

It was the angel of poor homes
Gave my father two rich pearls:
Brotherhood the mission of man
God's largesse the invisible world.
They are blessed beyond hearing,
Peacemakers, children of God.

Nation good or nation bad
(So they taught) is fantasy.
In Christ's light is freedom had
For any man that would be free.
Blest, the day dawns that will hear them,
Peacemakers, children of God.

What is their estate tonight,
Tonight, with the world ablaze?
Truth is with my father yet,
Mother with forgiveness stays.
The age will be blest that hears them,
Peacemakers, children of God.

The Peacemakers, Selected Poems of Waldo Williams, translated by Tony Conran, Gomer, 1997.

In January 1941 165 people were killed in Cardiff following an attack by German bombers. A month later, between 19 and 21 February, Swansea was attacked. 230 citizens were killed and most of the city centre was destroyed.

When on 8 May 1945 the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, announced that the Second World War was over there were huge celebrations all over the country. A thanksgiving ceremony was held in Cardiff and Machynlleth and the country's church bells rang for the first time since the start of the war. In Newtown a children's march and a peace bonfire were held to celebrate the end of the War and a 'Princess of Peace' was crowned.

Over 15,000 people from Wales lost their lives in the Second World War.


Recruitment and the First World War	Pacifism	CND
The Spanish Civil War	The Second World War

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