With the current weather conditions causing untold disruption and chaos again, we have seen the roll out of the stock British phrase used in adversity - 'Blitz spirit'. The sheer determination and sacrifice shown in general despite the horrific instances happening all a round them was to show Hitler that he couldn't break the nation's will (which of course was also the case in Germany despite Harris' best efforts). I was wondering whether people thought that if the current population were under constant bombing whether there would be the same 'Blitz spirit' as there was in the 1940's. I know that my Grandad was convinced that there would certainly not be and that the people are very different now than they were back then - I'm not sure. Any thoughts?
I think its a double edged sword. On the one hand, I've sat and talked to people on the bus that I never would normally... rationed to 1 tic tac per hour person And I'm sure there is something about any difficult situation that brings out the best in people... well, most people. On the one hand, while I think it was marvellous that morale held up like it did during the blitz, there were some negative aspects. There were very real fears about panic and hysteria, according to Mass Observation reports. Also you never hear much about crime during the blitz, but according to local Court records there was a fair amount of looting going on. I guess the outcome of the war means those kind of things are forgotten. Compared to situations like the blitz of course the current weather isnt too much to endure. But in the context of our pretty comfortable and sheltered lives its unusual to face something like being stuck in your car overnight, for example.
I don't think that people of that generation just happened to be born 'fit for purpose'. There are still incidents/disasters which happen to-day which give you an insight into how the public in general react under extreme pressure. What was the alternative for those who experienced the Blitz.. for the most part, they couldn't leave ... so it was a case of make the best of it and as everyone around you shared the same conditions, who else would you rely upon for help. What has changed - for many reasons - is the sense of community identity. It is no longer the norm to have known all your life, the people living in your street or town, but I believe if needs be there would always be people who would step in and know the right thing to do. Having lived in NI all my life, I've seen how people confront the threat of a bomb exploding any time, any where. Sadly it's a case of being conditioned to it and getting on with normality as best as can be.
I agree with D Although we live in the 21st century mile a minute , rush rush busy busy on the whole people will still come up with the goods in a problematic situation and the human spirit kicks in.
There were plenty of Bastids during the Blitz don't worry about that. I can clearly remembering pulling 16 hour shifts during the two lots of floods in South Yorkshire in 2007. I was quite surprised and humbled by peoples kindness and generosity where I was working in Barnsley.
