CIVIL DEFENSE DURING WORLD WAR II
When Germany invaded Poland in 1939, Europe was facing a new war with the constant threat of air strikes. Perhaps the greatest threat to civilians, these air strikes posed a problem for life not only in cities but rural areas as well. Leaders began implementing ways to help prevent major devastation and loss of life. One of these planned strategies was the use of dim-outs and blackouts in order to minimize the light created indoors that would allow the enemy to identify targets from the air. After Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt was more aware than ever that a civilian defense front similar to the UK’s was needed because of the threat of air forces. On May, 20 1941 he created the Office of Civilian Defense (OCD) appointing NYC mayor Fiorello LaGuardia as head. LaGuardia was tasked with appointing watchers, auxiliary police, decontamination squads, emergency food and housing, and air raid wardens.
By day, the air raid wardens educated the public on the importance of dim-outs/blackouts and what to do if an air strike occurred. Blackouts/dim-outs required people to shut off appliances and electricity, along with gas and water. Driving at night was highly discouraged during planned blackouts. The use of blackout curtains was encouraged. People were directed to seek a bomb shelter or basement until the strike threat was dismissed. At night, the air raid wardens were in full uniform, wearing helmets, gas masks, and carried flashlights. They had sirens and patrolled neighborhoods to enforce the blackout. Some took the role very seriously, in some instances shooting outdoor lights that were left on. Ernest Graf was the Waterville Civilian Defense member and Air Raid Warden Chairman. He announced that four blasts of the fire siren at half minute intervals will be used for the warning signal and that the “all clear” signal will be a single long drawn-out blast steadily for two minutes.
On July 14, 1942, Waterville conducted a dim-out and a total of 32 infractions were reported by Ernest Graf. The next dim-out was conducted on August 12, 1942 and it was hoped there would be no infractions. Locally, it was reported that more air raid wardens were needed in Waterville for a planned dim-out in April of 1943. The air raid wardens were hoping to have a more successful experience than the one they had in the past. The strategy was to have at least two at each post, sometimes three. Multiple wardens were needed in case one needed to leave. Nineteen air raid wardens with assistants were on duty in Waterville. The air raid wardens were J.B Stickney, Scott Barman, Tom Billiard, H.H. Dudrow, Paul Bersee, L.E. Wynocker and others. The Civilian Defense control room was in Graf’s Garage which was equipped with phones and tables.
The dim-out occurred on April 12, 1943 at 10pm for 20 minutes. Prior to the dim-out, the public was instructed on how to prepare and what to do. Telephones were not to be used, and people that were not going to be home during the dim-out were told to make sure all lights were out. Owners of businesses such as hotels were told to advise their guests of the situation and take measures to make sure everyone was on board with participating in the dim-out. People that would have to be driving during the dim-out were told to find a space to park to wait it out, or stop in place and make sure all vehicle lights were off. The only allowance was for emergency vehicles. Manufacturers were exempted from participating, but were asked to turn off any equipment or lights they could while still maintaining production. Anyone not at home was told to remain inside any building until the dim-out was over.
Chief Air Raid Warden Ernest Graf reported a successful blackout in Whitehouse and Waterville, with 100 percent cooperation of homes and businesses. There were only five infractions, where one resident turned the lights off too late, while another turned their lights back on too soon. A few vehicles were stopped, while most drivers cooperated. No arrests had to be made during the dim-out. One has to appreciate the efforts of coordinating blackouts during WW2. With the development of satellites and sophisticated navigation, the practice of blackouts has become obsolete.
Roosevelt’s Civilian Defense Force was ended on June 30, 1945. President Truman brought it back during the Cold War, calling it Civil Defense. Today the organization is known as FEMA, which helps areas where a natural disaster has occurred.
Does anyone have a picture of a family member wearing a Civil Defense uniform or parts of any such uniform? The Wakeman Archives would like to add to our collection of WW II items.