| Original caption: “Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.” In the summer of 1940, plans were made to repel an invasion. Beaches had oil pipelines installed, so landing barges could be stopped by burning lakes of fire. Old jalopies were placed in open fields to discourage paratroopers. Church bells were no longer rung; if they were it meant invasion. With only 1 division fully equipped and prepared for combat, old men and previously exempted civilians were conscripted into the Home Guard, which were sometimes armed with spears instead of rifles. Canadian, Indian, South African and Australian units were rushed to England while civilian production was placed on hold, so more war goods could be produced. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0280.jpg |
| Image Size | 896.33 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2178 x 2842 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | September 1, 1940 |
| Location | |
| City | London |
| State or Province | London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NWDNS-306-NT-3146V |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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