World War 2

Topic 3: World War 2

On the 3rd September 1939, Britain declared war on Germany.

The Second World War, like the previous war, was to have an immediate and significant impact on the people and landscape of Lincolnshire.

The most immediate effect on the landscape was the construction of additional airfields, the remains of which can still be seen today across the county in the form of runways, control towers and ancillary buildings. The immediate social effects came from conscription into the armed forces and war work.

Surprisingly, during the close of 1939 and the early months of 1940, there was little consideration of defence against invasion. This changed in May 1940, with a rapid process of militia recruitment (in the form of the Local Defence Volunteers, later the Home Guard) and fortification.

Abandoned World War 2 control tower at the former RAF Coleby Grange, south of Lincoln. (Photo: Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire)