Cours sur le Blitz

IntroducƟon

Between September 1940 and May 1941, the BriƟsh populaƟon lived under constant threat as  German bombs fell on ciƟes like London, Coventry, and Bristol. This period, known as the Blitz,  was marked by terror, destrucƟon, and civilian suffering. However, it also gave birth to stories of  resilience and solidarity. In this essay, we will study two key documents that reflect the experience  of the populaƟon during the Blitz.

The document 1 is a photograph taken in Bristol in 1940 showing firemen fighƟng a massive blaze.  It visually captures the material destrucƟon and the heroic response of emergency services. The document 2 is a tesƟmony by John Fletcher, who recalled the events of the Bristol Blitz in  2017. His detailed narraƟve gives us insight into the human emoƟons, fear, and chaos that people  experienced during the aƩacks.

Through these documents, we will explore two main aspects :  

I. The physical and human consequences of the Blitz, and  

II. The gap between historical reality and the collecƟve memory of the Blitz.

I. The Physical and Human Consequences of the Blitz  

A. DestrucƟon of CiƟes and Emergency Response (Document 1)

Document 1 shows a black-and-white image of Bristol on fire, with firefighters climbing ladders,  spraying water, and surrounded by smoke and ruins. The city looks almost apocalypƟc, with  destroyed buildings and debris on the streets. This photo is a direct visual representaƟon of the  devastaƟon caused by German bombings.  

The firemen in the picture embody the bravery of civilians who were not soldiers but sƟll risked  their lives. This aligns with the idea of the “People’s War”, when everyone—including ordinary  ciƟzens—was mobilized to support the war effort. Groups like the Auxiliary Fire Service and Air  Raid PrecauƟons (ARP) played crucial roles in saving lives during aƩacks.

B. The Civilian Experience: Fear, Chaos, and Survival (Document 2)  

John Fletcher's tesƟmony offers a personal, emoƟonal perspecƟve. On the night of November 24,  1940, he remembers walking back from visiƟng his grandmother when the siren sounded. His  family had to rush to a school playground used as an air-raid shelter. He recalls the confusion and  how “the complete route was engulfed by burning buildings”.  

Fletcher also describes how few people were in the shelters, and how materials were falling from  buildings. His account shows the lack of preparaƟon in many areas and the psychological impact

of the bombings. As he says, “At first the observaƟons were quite light-hearted to keep our spirits  up”, but fear soon took over. This reflects the emoƟonal toll of living under constant danger.  

II. From Reality to Myth: How the Blitz Was Remembered  

A. The CreaƟon of a NaƟonal Legend

During and aŌer the war, the BriƟsh government promoted a myth of unity and heroism. Posters  and films showed civilians as strong and unbreakable. The famous phrase “Keep Calm and Carry  On” is a perfect example of this propaganda. Document 1, although a real photo, also fits this  narraƟve—it highlights courage and determinaƟon more than suffering.

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