Air Raid Precautions Collection

Gas Masks For Dogs
1939: Three Airedale dogs wearing their special gas masks at a Surrey kennel. They are being trained by Lt Col E. H. Richardson. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

Dogs Of War
Two Airedale terriers at Lt. Colonel E. H. Richardsons canine training camp in Woking, Surrey, during World War II, 16th October 1939

Barrage Balloon
1st August 1918: A barrage balloon tethered at Queens Club, London, in the background the tents used for housing the balloons. (Photo by A. R. Coster/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Mobile first aid post MED01_01_0220
A bus which has been converted into an A.R.P. mobile first aid post. Converted buses were first used in September 1939. Some could still be used as ordinary buses

A gas mask for the use of people who breathe through a tracheal tube in the throat has been designed by Inspector S.E. Bentley, the Derby A.R.P. organiser, and Mr. H. Hall, the head warden for No

Birmingham A. R. P. ambulance drivers and attendants in their new uniforms at the Central
Birmingham A.R.P. ambulance drivers and attendants in their new uniforms at the Central Car Park Depot taking instruction. 23rd April 1940

The new blue battledress uniform for members of ARP services as announced by Herbert Morrison, Minister for Home Security. May 1941

A girl telephonist at the main A. R. P. control centre of Liverpool operating her phone
A girl telephonist at the main A.R.P. control centre of Liverpool operating her phone while wearing a gas mask. 13th April 1941

Air Raid Shelter signs seen here in Derby. Circa October 1939

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham inspecting a fleet of new A. R. P
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham inspecting a fleet of new A.R.P. ambulances at the Municipal Car Park Depot with Councillor N Tiptaft (Chairman of the A.R.P. committee and Mr V Hamilton (Chief A.R.P)

Work in progress on one of the air raid shelters which is being constructed by the Newcastle authorities for the residents of Noble Street

The cellar at Idols / The Lazy Pig in Whitley Bay which contained a record of air raids during the Second World War. 28/04/1995

George Sizeland wears a World War Two gas mask as his sister, Marie, looks on. circa 1939

Waterloo Street Birmingham, 1941 a42_00411
33 - 34 Waterloo Street, Birmingham. The exterior of Wellington House at 33 and 34 Waterloo Street with entrances to what could be an air raid shelter at ground level

Corporation Street Birmingham, 1941 a42_00402
Coleridge Chambers, 175 - 177 Corporation Street, Birmingham. Coleridge Chambers, home of the Ideal Benefit Society and Barclays Bank, at 175-177 Corporation Street

de Havilland Mosquito B35
circa 1945: Mosquito bombers lined up on the tarmac. (Photo by Harry Shepherd/Fox Photos/Getty Images)

British air raid warning siren, Ruislip, London, World War II, 1939-1945 (b / w photo)
6015321 British air raid warning siren, Ruislip, London, World War II, 1939-1945 (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: British air raid warning siren)

Aircraft spotter looking out for German bombers from a London rooftop during the Blitz, World War II
6015300 Aircraft spotter looking out for German bombers from a London rooftop during the Blitz, World War II, 5 September 1940 (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Sun set over the city of London following the most devastating raid on London which took place on the night of 10/11 May 1941. The moon was full and the Thames had a very low ebb tide

Llanellys ARP squad, composed of members of the local fire brigade, photographed before their first gas test at fire station. In the picture Supt. W

From dusk to dawn, at an important un-named works in Birmingham, the works Home Guard man a specially built look-out tower

Birmingham furniture store displays in its shop window, a bed air raid protection frame. Designed to stop debris falling on to those bed ridden persons who could not reach an air raid shelter

Shelters for Schools. Parents watch the construction of one of the air raid shelters, after a meeting at Hartfield Crescent School, Hall Green

Birmingham women A. R. P. ambulance drivers and attendants in their new uniforms at
Birmingham women A.R.P. ambulance drivers and attendants in their new uniforms at the Central Car Park Depot taking instruction. 23rd April 1940

Birmingham A. R. P. Rescue drivers and attendants in their new uniforms at the Central Car
Birmingham A.R.P. Rescue drivers and attendants in their new uniforms at the Central Car Park Depot taking instruction. 23rd April 1940

Birmingham Town Hall is now heavily sandbagged on all sides. The photograph shows the Paradise Street frontage, where the archways are completely filled with sandbags, thus protecting the arcade

Gas masks are distributed and fitted at the Broad Street offices of Birminghams A. R
Gas masks are distributed and fitted at the Broad Street offices of Birminghams A.R.P. service. As demand for gas mask rise as tension between Germany and Poland rises 28th August 1939

Gas masks are distributed from the Broad Street offices of Birminghams A. R. P
Gas masks are distributed from the Broad Street offices of Birminghams A.R.P. service. As demand for gas mask rise as tension between Germany and Poland rises 28th August 1939

Voluntary workers seen here assembling gas mask boxes at the Broad Street offices of Birminghams A.R.P. service. As demand for gas mask rise as tension between Germany

Rescuing a casualty. A series of realistic exercises were carried out at the A. R. P
Rescuing a casualty. A series of realistic exercises were carried out at the A.R.P. station at Anthony Road School, Alum Rock, Birmingham

ARP personnel have been spending a holiday as the guests of Oxford University. They are given undergrads quarters, use the dining hall, eat meals with the undergrads

During Winston Churchills Northern tour, he paid a visit to Glasgow. Pictured, Mrs Churchill and Mr Harry Hopkins, (President Roosevelts special envoy to this country), chatting to A.R.P

Mutual Aid in Air Defence. The first trial in the Midland Civil Defence Region of the pooling of A.R.P. resources to assist an area severely hit by air attack took place in Calthorpe Park

Corporation workmen filling and place sandbags to protect civic building from bomb blast at the outbreak of the Second World War 2nd September 1939

Sandbags being placed against the walls of the Birmingham Education Committee building in St Margaret Street. Circa 1st September 1939

Shop workers in Birmingham city centre filling sandbags in preparation of the outbreak of the Second World War

The canal arms which were filled in when Easy Row wharf, Birmingham was converted into a car park seen here being excavated to build a 1, 500 person air raid shelter. 11th September 1939

A. R. P. workers taking away childrens belongings from a bombed school in Sandhurst
A.R.P. workers taking away childrens belongings from a bombed school in Sandhurst Road, London. 21st January 1943

ARP Services display for Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies. 2nd April 1941

An ARP shelter in a haystack. 23rd October 1939

ARP workers searching the debris of one of the bombed houses in London for a victim believed to be trapped. 18th January 1943

ARP demonstration, Cardiff. December 1939

Air Raid Precautions (ARP) were organised by the national government and delivered by the local authorities. The aim was to protect civilians from the danger of air-raids

Air Raid Precautions workers salvaging in the debris of two working class houses bombed in a recent raid, Sidney Place, Edge Hill, Liverpool, pictured Tuesday 12th November 1940

A. R. P. demonstration at Esher. Wardens wearing thir gas masks. April 1938
A.R.P. demonstration at Esher. Wardens wearing thir gas masks. April 1938

Passengers disembark from a bus wearing their gas masks during an ARP exercise on Merseyside. 16th July 1941

Air raid warden with nurse and baby in arms seen demonstrating the new gas helmet during an air raid gas exercise on Merseyside 24th July 1941

Air raid wardens seen here riding on a motorbike and sidecar during an air raid gas exercise on Merseyside 18th January 1938

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"Air Raid Precautions: Safeguarding Lives and Unleashing Heroes" In the face of impending danger, nations have always sought ways to protect their citizens. During World War II, Britain pioneered a comprehensive system known as Air Raid Precautions (ARP), aimed at minimizing the devastating impact of aerial attacks. This captivating cigarette card from 1938 showcases some key elements of ARP. Gas Masks For Dogs: As war engulfed Europe, even our loyal four-legged friends were not spared. The image captures a heartwarming sight – dogs equipped with specially designed gas masks, affectionately dubbed "Dogs of War. " These brave animals played an essential role in search and rescue missions amidst chaos. Barrage Balloon: Hovering high above cities like majestic guardians, barrage balloons acted as formidable deterrents against enemy aircraft. Their presence forced pilots to fly at higher altitudes, reducing accuracy during bombings and protecting civilians below. Mobile First Aid Post MED01_01_0220: In times of crisis, medical assistance becomes paramount. Mobile first aid posts like this one ensured that injured individuals received immediate attention on-site or while being transported to hospitals for further care. Birmingham A. R. P. : Birmingham's dedicated ambulance drivers and attendants donned new uniforms proudly as they prepared themselves for any eventuality. These unsung heroes braved dangerous conditions to save lives and provide comfort during air raids. Main A. R. P Control Centre in Liverpool: At the heart of every operation lay efficient communication networks. Here we see a young girl telephonist skillfully operating her phone at Liverpool's main A. R. P control centre – connecting vital information across the city under attack. Tracheal Tube Gas Mask: Innovations in protective gear extended beyond conventional designs; this gas mask catered specifically to those who relied on tracheal tubes for breathing support. It exemplified ARP's commitment to inclusivity by ensuring that everyone had a chance to survive. Air Raid Shelters.