1940s Radio Station Swing Jazz Blues Big Band Jive Lindy Hop

Canal Waterway Defence

Bridges and Canal WW2 Preparations

Pillboxes | Anti-Tank | Bridges | Defence

With the outbreak of WW2 preparations were made to defend the mainland infrastructure in the event of a German invasion.

Plans included the use of the canal network for defence and there are still plenty of historic structures and pillboxes to be found across the network.

Vintage USA Insignias Easy to Follow Guide

USA WW2 Rank Insignias USA Non-Commissioned

USA Insignia Vintage Guide

We may know a little about the 40s music scene, however, if like us, you are a novice to WW2 living history, this will help.

Understanding rank insignias is certainly a great starting point to identify and verify information when you are looking for authenticity.

The rank guide includes, Private First Class, Corporal, Technician 5th Grade, Sergeant, Master Sergeant, First Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Technician Sergeant and, Private

Old Time Radio Online

Vintage Wireless Broadcasts

OTR War Propaganda

Old-time radio was a powerful tool during the war years, maintaining morale with regular broadcasts.

Propaganda warfare was a new science, and one that would be used to its maximum potential by both sides.

Battle of the Airways

It was no secret broadcasting was going to play a major part in communicating with the general public during the war.

On the flip side, there were regular misinformation broadcasts by the German Propaganda Machine which began on 18th September 1939 and hosted by Lord Haw-Haw.

London Blitz Strict Air Raid Precautions

Doodlebug | V1 Rocket | V2 Flying Bomb | Blackout

London Blitz | WW2 | ARP | Propaganda

Big Ben plunges into darkness as London goes dark for five years!

Big Ben's lights turned off for 5 years, 123 days and the country braced itself for the war.

Little did they know what was to follow with the horrors of the London Blitz.

Air Raids Were Inevitable Strict Blackout Regulations Were Enforced

Everybody was prepared for the worst with the propaganda war in full swing from both allied and axis countries.

Turning the countries lights out finally drove home the reality of war with sweeping blackout restrictions which would be enforced rigorously.

Swing Music Lyrics and Narcotics

Opium | Cocaine | Marijuana | Reefer

Narcotic music lyrics used during the 40s

Fats Waller | Cab Callaway | Trixie Smith | The Ink Spots

As we listened to 40s music lyrics, it became alarmingly apparent how many recordings made casual references to what is now deemed an illegal substance.

These references were made, not just by unknown bands, but also by some of the swing periods most prominent artists including Fats Waller and Cab Callaway.