Transition To War
Encyclopedia
Transition to war is a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) military term referring to a period of international tension during which government and society move to an open (but not necessarily declared) war footing. The period after this is considered to be war, conventional or otherwise, but the term TTW found its origins in the peak of the Cold War
as a key NATO concept within the tripwire escalation of the DEFCON
status. This could include the suspension of peacetime services, closing motorways to all but military traffic and the internment of subversives without charge or trial.
required certain legislation to be passed to prosecute the war effectively. This mostly included the Emergency Powers Act 1939
and the controversial Defence Regulation 18B
, which allowed the detention of subversives without charge or trial. A number of these emergency regulations lasted until the mid 1950s, which were finally abolished with the end of rationing in 1954.
However the Cold War brought the possibility of war with the Soviet Union, which would require similar legislation to allow NATO countries to defend themselves effectively. Hence pre-drafted legislation governing every aspect of life in the United Kingdom, consisting of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Bill, Defence (Machinery of Government) Regulations and other laws were devised. Other regulations included:
The cash regulations were intended to restrict the amount of money that could be taken out of bank and building society accounts at any one time, which is intended to prevent a currency crisis and keep supplies of money secure.
Other existing legislation governing everyday matters already allows for special provisions in a national emergency. For example, the Energy Act 1976 allows the Secretary of State to create regulations governing the production, distribution and use of coal
, petrol, diesel, gas
, biofuels and electricity
in a crisis. For example, it could allow rationing, power cuts in certain areas to allow blackouts near key installations, restrictions on civilian use of cars and the like.
The Broadcasting Act 1980
allows the governments to take over editorial control of the BBC
, ITV
, Independent Local Radio
and Independent National Radio
in a national emergency.
The Railways Act 1976 has similar provisions with regard to British Rail. The minister or Secretary of State can take control of the railways in the event of war, including the Channel Tunnel.
The actual bills would effectively be enabling acts allowing for the implementation of the pre-drafted legislation. The bills' content was not divulged both on the grounds of national security and because it would be politically suicidal for the party in charge at that time to do so considering their draconian nature. However, they consisted of the Special Powers Bill, which allowed the police extra powers to stop, search and arrest people, restrictions on ships and aircrew, along with compensation.
The second, The Readiness Bill, covered the requisitioning of private property (Including land, buildings, vehicles, ships and aircraft), preventing key workers from leaving their employment
, widening the role of the armed forces and fire brigades, reorganising the National Health Service
, control of transport, extra police powers, regulation of money supply
and currency controls and compensation.
The General Bill would be the third and final stage of putting a Britain on a war footing. While building on the other two, it would also provide the legal framework for regional government (national government could fail), including the powers of the regional commissioner. Along with this would be the power to take over the BBC
(which already exist), control labour, the registration of births, deaths and marriages, the administration of justice and compensation.
When these were drafted, it was assumed that both the House of Commons and the House of Lords
were sitting at the time of the crisis and become acts with in a few hours or days. Though it would be more problematic if Parliament was in recess, as it would take longer to do so. The new legislation would have to be publicised and printed within two days.
, the Northern Ireland Peace Process
and the Human Rights Act 1998
passing into law, these emergency powers and the legal framework that supported them became dated and needed re-examining. The Civil Contingencies Act 2004
was introduced to provide a new enabling power to introduce emergency regulations, but it cannot be used by the Government to alter the Human Rights Act 1998
.
in the UK, and why, but all these may not necessarily happen during such a time.
Note: "Reservists" are any members of the public who serve in the armed forces and emergency services on a part-time basis. Many will hold down regular civilian jobs and be called up on a "when needed" basis. Reserve forces include the Territorial Army, Royal Naval Reserve
, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
, Royal Marines Reserve
, retained firefighter
s and the Special Constabulary
. Groups like the RNLI, the Salvation Army
and the WRVS
are charitable organistaions but are pressed into service to supplement the civil defence, the armed forces and post-attack distribution of aid.
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
as a key NATO concept within the tripwire escalation of the DEFCON
DEFCON
A defense readiness condition is an alert posture used by the United States Armed Forces. The DEFCON system was developed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and unified and specified combatant commands. It prescribes five graduated levels of readiness for the U.S...
status. This could include the suspension of peacetime services, closing motorways to all but military traffic and the internment of subversives without charge or trial.
Emergency legislation
The legislation that facilitates the transition to war is pre-drafted and has been in existence since the 1930s, when World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
required certain legislation to be passed to prosecute the war effectively. This mostly included the Emergency Powers Act 1939
Emergency Powers Act 1939
The Emergency Powers Act 1939 is an act of the Oireachtas enacted on 3 September 1939 after an official state of emergency had been declared on 2 September 1939...
and the controversial Defence Regulation 18B
Defence Regulation 18B
Defence Regulation 18B, often referred to as simply 18B, was the most famous of the Defence Regulations used by the British Government during World War II. The complete technical reference name for this rule was: Regulation 18B of the Defence Regulations 1939. It allowed for the internment of...
, which allowed the detention of subversives without charge or trial. A number of these emergency regulations lasted until the mid 1950s, which were finally abolished with the end of rationing in 1954.
However the Cold War brought the possibility of war with the Soviet Union, which would require similar legislation to allow NATO countries to defend themselves effectively. Hence pre-drafted legislation governing every aspect of life in the United Kingdom, consisting of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Bill, Defence (Machinery of Government) Regulations and other laws were devised. Other regulations included:
- The Defence (Public Safety) Regulations that allowed for such things as the prevention of interference with essential services and the control of newspapers and other means of communication. This could mean postal and press censorship, among other things.
- The Defence (Essential Supplies, Works and Services) Regulations that would give the power to control all land and property, industry and transport. This could entail the closing motorways to all but military traffic, restricting key workers from leaving their postsReserved occupationA reserved occupation is an occupation considered important enough to a country that those serving in such occupations are exempt - in fact forbidden - from military service....
, commandeering buildings, commandeering of British Airways, etc.
- The Defence (Public Safety and Order) Regulations that were concerned with such matters as public shelter, the control of lighting and sound and the restriction of the public electricity supply. Electricity could be restricted for advertising and display purposes, blackout regulations could be implemented, extra control of BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, ITVITVITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
and Independent Local RadioIndependent Local RadioIndependent Local Radio is the collective name given to commercial radio stations in the United Kingdom. The same name is used for Independent Local Radio in Ireland.-Development of ILR:...
and the commandeering of houses and schools for public feeding centres or even detention camps. Sus lawSus lawIn England and Wales, the sus law was the informal name for a stop and search law that permitted a police officer to stop, search and potentially arrest people on suspicion of them being in breach of section 4 of the Vagrancy Act 1824.-1824 legislation:The power to act on "sus" was found in part...
could be reinstated or more tightly enforced to prevent sabotageSabotageSabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening another entity through subversion, obstruction, disruption, or destruction. In a workplace setting, sabotage is the conscious withdrawal of efficiency generally directed at causing some change in workplace conditions. One who engages in sabotage is...
.
- The Defence (Births, Marriages and Deaths) Regulations.
- The Defence (Cash) Regulations
The cash regulations were intended to restrict the amount of money that could be taken out of bank and building society accounts at any one time, which is intended to prevent a currency crisis and keep supplies of money secure.
Other existing legislation governing everyday matters already allows for special provisions in a national emergency. For example, the Energy Act 1976 allows the Secretary of State to create regulations governing the production, distribution and use of coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
, petrol, diesel, gas
Gas
Gas is one of the three classical states of matter . Near absolute zero, a substance exists as a solid. As heat is added to this substance it melts into a liquid at its melting point , boils into a gas at its boiling point, and if heated high enough would enter a plasma state in which the electrons...
, biofuels and electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
in a crisis. For example, it could allow rationing, power cuts in certain areas to allow blackouts near key installations, restrictions on civilian use of cars and the like.
The Broadcasting Act 1980
Broadcasting Act 1980
The Broadcasting Act 1980 was an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom. It was repealed by the Broadcasting Act 1981, though the provisions of the Act remained in force....
allows the governments to take over editorial control of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
, Independent Local Radio
Independent Local Radio
Independent Local Radio is the collective name given to commercial radio stations in the United Kingdom. The same name is used for Independent Local Radio in Ireland.-Development of ILR:...
and Independent National Radio
Independent National Radio
Independent National Radio is the official term for the three national commercial radio stations broadcasting on analogue radio in the United Kingdom...
in a national emergency.
The Railways Act 1976 has similar provisions with regard to British Rail. The minister or Secretary of State can take control of the railways in the event of war, including the Channel Tunnel.
How these laws would be imposed
Since this legislation is pre-drafted, it would be either rushed through Parliament using the Parliament Acts or be done through an Order in Council, which is basically a royal decree. It could also be declared a "money bill" by the speaker of the House of Commons, which means the House of Lords cannot delay it (this bill will involve spending money, such as compensation). The bills themselves would be passed in three stages. The first stage is a covert review of what to do and what needs to be revised, done only by ministers and civil servants. The second stage is more overt and would include 24-hour manning of government departments, people being briefed of their wartime roles, testing of sirens and other communication systems, cancelling police leave and mobilising the armed forces (including reservists). The third and final stage would be the activation of war measures, such as local councils setting up refugee centres and the like.The actual bills would effectively be enabling acts allowing for the implementation of the pre-drafted legislation. The bills' content was not divulged both on the grounds of national security and because it would be politically suicidal for the party in charge at that time to do so considering their draconian nature. However, they consisted of the Special Powers Bill, which allowed the police extra powers to stop, search and arrest people, restrictions on ships and aircrew, along with compensation.
The second, The Readiness Bill, covered the requisitioning of private property (Including land, buildings, vehicles, ships and aircraft), preventing key workers from leaving their employment
Reserved occupation
A reserved occupation is an occupation considered important enough to a country that those serving in such occupations are exempt - in fact forbidden - from military service....
, widening the role of the armed forces and fire brigades, reorganising the National Health Service
National Health Service
The National Health Service is the shared name of three of the four publicly funded healthcare systems in the United Kingdom. They provide a comprehensive range of health services, the vast majority of which are free at the point of use to residents of the United Kingdom...
, control of transport, extra police powers, regulation of money supply
Money supply
In economics, the money supply or money stock, is the total amount of money available in an economy at a specific time. There are several ways to define "money," but standard measures usually include currency in circulation and demand deposits .Money supply data are recorded and published, usually...
and currency controls and compensation.
The General Bill would be the third and final stage of putting a Britain on a war footing. While building on the other two, it would also provide the legal framework for regional government (national government could fail), including the powers of the regional commissioner. Along with this would be the power to take over the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
(which already exist), control labour, the registration of births, deaths and marriages, the administration of justice and compensation.
When these were drafted, it was assumed that both the House of Commons and the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
were sitting at the time of the crisis and become acts with in a few hours or days. Though it would be more problematic if Parliament was in recess, as it would take longer to do so. The new legislation would have to be publicised and printed within two days.
Post cold-war era
With the end of the cold warCold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
, the Northern Ireland Peace Process
Northern Ireland peace process
The peace process, when discussing the history of Northern Ireland, is often considered to cover the events leading up to the 1994 Provisional Irish Republican Army ceasefire, the end of most of the violence of the Troubles, the Belfast Agreement, and subsequent political developments.-Towards a...
and the Human Rights Act 1998
Human Rights Act 1998
The Human Rights Act 1998 is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom which received Royal Assent on 9 November 1998, and mostly came into force on 2 October 2000. Its aim is to "give further effect" in UK law to the rights contained in the European Convention on Human Rights...
passing into law, these emergency powers and the legal framework that supported them became dated and needed re-examining. The Civil Contingencies Act 2004
Civil Contingencies Act 2004
The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that establishes a coherent framework for emergency planning and response ranging from local to national level...
was introduced to provide a new enabling power to introduce emergency regulations, but it cannot be used by the Government to alter the Human Rights Act 1998
Human Rights Act 1998
The Human Rights Act 1998 is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom which received Royal Assent on 9 November 1998, and mostly came into force on 2 October 2000. Its aim is to "give further effect" in UK law to the rights contained in the European Convention on Human Rights...
.
What happens during the transition to war
The following table gives examples of what could happen in a state of emergencyState of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
in the UK, and why, but all these may not necessarily happen during such a time.
| Number | Example of transition to war | Reasons | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Closure of schools, colleges and universities | Reduce civilian casualties, allow teachers and other staff in reserve forces (including special constable Special constable A Special Constable is a law enforcement officer who is not a regular member of a police force. Some like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police carry the same law enforcement powers as regular members, but are employed in specific roles, such as explosive disposal technicians, court security, campus... s) to mobilise and free up buildings for emergency uses. Teaching and other staff may be assigned other duties. |
Could be problematic in certain areas, especially in garrison town Garrison town Garrison town may refer to* Garrison* Garrison community, poor, inner-city communities controlled by either of Jamaica's two main political parties... s or during the exam season. Some universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge, could be possible ideological or strategic targets. |
| 2 | Hospitals being cleared | Make room for casualties from the front line and allow reservists to mobilise | Hospital Hospital A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays.... s, the fire brigade and other emergency services could be overstretched after conventional or terrorist attack, if they still exist. Fewer medical staff, due to reserves mobilisation. |
| 3 | Motorways closed to civilian traffic | Facilitate movement of troops, food, fuel, ammunition, weapons and essential supplies | Motorways and rail network could have people trying to get away from target areas, some railway lines and roads could be potential targets. |
| 4 | Normal television and radio broadcasts suspended (or programmes cancelled, changed or interrupted). | To warn of attack, give official information and free up labour for war effort. Protect and Survive Protect and Survive Protect and Survive was a public information series on civil defence produced by the British government during the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was intended to inform British citizens on how to protect themselves during a nuclear attack, and consisted of a mixture of pamphlets, radio broadcasts,... public information film Public information film Public Information Films are a series of government commissioned short films, shown during television advertising breaks in the UK. The US equivalent is the Public Service Announcement .-Subjects:... s may be broadcast. |
Could be detrimental to morale if a popular shows pulled, broadcasting of Protect and Survive Protect and Survive Protect and Survive was a public information series on civil defence produced by the British government during the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was intended to inform British citizens on how to protect themselves during a nuclear attack, and consisted of a mixture of pamphlets, radio broadcasts,... PIFs could backfire and people switch off official broadcasts. Government also has powers to take control of the BBC in an emergency under BBC Charter BBC Charter The BBC Charter established the BBC . An accompanying Agreement recognises its editorial independence and sets out its public obligations in detail.... and the Broadcasting Act 1980 Broadcasting Act 1980 The Broadcasting Act 1980 was an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom. It was repealed by the Broadcasting Act 1981, though the provisions of the Act remained in force.... . |
| 5 | Non-essential telephone lines disconnected, the Government Telephone Preference Scheme is activated | Increased demand from government and other agencies overwhelms network, but also prevents spies listening in. | Could be unpopular with public because of people losing business, or not being in touch with relatives. |
| 6 | Known and potential subversives interned Internment Internment is the imprisonment or confinement of people, commonly in large groups, without trial. The Oxford English Dictionary gives the meaning as: "The action of 'interning'; confinement within the limits of a country or place." Most modern usage is about individuals, and there is a distinction... without charge or trial. Some civil rights could be suspended as the result of Parliament passing an Emergency Powers Act Emergency Powers Act The title Emergency Powers Act has been included in the name of various UK laws:*Emergency Powers Act 1920*Emergency Powers Act 1926*Emergency Powers Act 1939*Emergency Powers Act 1940*Emergency Powers Act 1964... (e.g.:Defence of the Realm Act 1914 Defence of the Realm Act 1914 The Defence of the Realm Act was passed in the United Kingdom on 8 August 1914, during the early weeks of World War I. It gave the government wide-ranging powers during the war period, such as the power to requisition buildings or land needed for the war effort, or to make regulations creating... ) |
To prevent sabotage Sabotage Sabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening another entity through subversion, obstruction, disruption, or destruction. In a workplace setting, sabotage is the conscious withdrawal of efficiency generally directed at causing some change in workplace conditions. One who engages in sabotage is... , mutiny Mutiny Mutiny is a conspiracy among members of a group of similarly situated individuals to openly oppose, change or overthrow an authority to which they are subject... and allow prosecution of the war |
Could be used to crack down on civil liberties Civil liberties Civil liberties are rights and freedoms that provide an individual specific rights such as the freedom from slavery and forced labour, freedom from torture and death, the right to liberty and security, right to a fair trial, the right to defend one's self, the right to own and bear arms, the right... and stifle dissent in a dictatorship Dictatorship A dictatorship is defined as an autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by an individual, the dictator. It has three possible meanings:... . Civil Liberties groups will be very critical of such a decision, as it will stifle opposition because certain civil rights could be suspended.
|
| 7 | Restrictions on electricity for advertising and display. Government may order sports stadia, theatres, cinemas, art galleries and certain premises to close as a result. | Reduce detection by enemy bombers, reducing targeting opportunities. Could also be done to provide electricity for the war effort. This is also ostensibly to reduce civilian casualties and provide emergency premises when needed for detention camps or other uses. | Could be done in conjunction with the closure of theatres, cinemas, sport and arts venues The arts The arts are a vast subdivision of culture, composed of many creative endeavors and disciplines. It is a broader term than "art", which as a description of a field usually means only the visual arts. The arts encompass visual arts, literary arts and the performing arts – music, theatre, dance and... (museums, art galleries, etc.). |
| 8 | Government commandeers commercial and private aircraft, ferries, other shipping and the Channel Tunnel Channel Tunnel The Channel Tunnel is a undersea rail tunnel linking Folkestone, Kent in the United Kingdom with Coquelles, Pas-de-Calais near Calais in northern France beneath the English Channel at the Strait of Dover. At its lowest point, it is deep... . Normal railway services are suspended and trains commandeered, buses and coaches requisitioned. |
To get soldiers and equipment to the front line and evacuate families of servicemen. Railways could be used to transport civilian needs as well as heavy artillery and tanks, for instance. Buses could be used as ambulances and troop carriers. | Will leave passengers stranded and lead to food shortages. Businesses could lose trade as a result. Ports and airports may be closed to civilian flights or shipping, either as possible targets or due to military aircraft stationed there. Railways Act 1976 allows the secretary of state to take control of railways in a national emergency, including war. |
| 9 | Absenteeism in many companies and workplaces. | This may come about due to transport difficulties, reservists called up to fight, wish to be with family or leaving potential target areas (especially in garrison town Garrison town Garrison town may refer to* Garrison* Garrison community, poor, inner-city communities controlled by either of Jamaica's two main political parties... s, ports and major industrial centres). Some people maybe conscripted to work battalions as cargo handlers, mechanics or linguists. |
Government may impose manpower controls and industrial conscription Conscription Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names... , though may be impractical to enforce. Some people could be in reserved occupation Reserved occupation A reserved occupation is an occupation considered important enough to a country that those serving in such occupations are exempt - in fact forbidden - from military service.... s, such as farmers or employees of government contractors. Others could be assigned to a work detail to help war effort. For example, a dancer could be assigned to a work detail as a cargo handler at an airbase or a code breaker. |
| 10 | Gas, electricity and water supplies disconnected. Petrol and diesel supplies rationed. |
|
Could be a reason for dissent, especially if war comes in winter. More likely that petrol stations will be closed by the simple method of taking the keys and throwing the master switch. Under the Energy Act 1976, the government had the right to release British Gas British Gas British Gas is the name of several companies:* British Gas plc, the former gas monopoly in the United Kingdom and its successor companies** Centrica, which has the rights to the British Gas name in the UK... and the electricity boards from supplying gas and electricity. |
| 11 | Police leave cancelled. | To enforce emergency laws, guard key points from Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality... down to local petrol stations from sabotage and attack by terrorists, help in the round-up of subversives |
Special constables maybe used as well, having to leave their jobs and report for duty. This could lead to staff shortages and absenteeism in many workplaces. |
| 12 | Press reporting restrictions are imposed, along with postal censorship Postal censorship Postal censorship is the inspection or examination of mail, most often by governments. It can include opening, reading and total or selective obliteration of letters and their contents, as well as covers, postcards, parcels and other postal packets. Postal censorship takes place primarily but not... . |
|
Foreign journalists could be expelled as possible enemy spies or propagandists. |
| 13 | Fire engines and ambulances are deployed outside of towns & cities. | To prevent loss of appliances and crews in the event of an attack | Could leave areas vulnerable to terrorist attack or, in the event of a conventional one, could effectively leave areas with no medical or firefighting help. Firefighting and rescue would be impossible if it should go nuclear. |
| 14 | Borders, ports and airports are closed to the public. | Heathrow, Gatwick, Southampton, Dover, etc are potential targets. They may also be commandeered to get the troops to the front line or evacuate foreign nationals. | Refugees arriving at ports would be a cover for special forces to infiltrate. Republic of Ireland would also have a refugee problem from people crossing the Border. |
| 15 | Noted artworks taken into storage |
|
Museums and art galleries may be ordered to close, reducing risk of civilian casualties and free up labour and buildings for other purposes, such as feeding centres, detention camps or accommodation for work details. |
Note: "Reservists" are any members of the public who serve in the armed forces and emergency services on a part-time basis. Many will hold down regular civilian jobs and be called up on a "when needed" basis. Reserve forces include the Territorial Army, Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Naval Reserve
The Royal Naval Reserve is the volunteer reserve force of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. The present Royal Naval Reserve was formed in 1958 by merging the original Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve , a reserve of civilian volunteers founded in 1903...
, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve consists of a number of groupings of individual military reservists for the management and operation of the Royal Air Force's Air Training Corps and CCF Air Cadet formations, Volunteer Gliding Squadrons , Air Experience Flights, and also to form the...
, Royal Marines Reserve
Royal Marines Reserve
The role of the Royal Marines Reserve of the United Kingdom is to support the regular Royal Marines in times of war or national crisis. The RMR consists of some 600-1000 trained ranks distributed among the five RMR Centres within the UK...
, retained firefighter
Retained firefighter
A retained firefighter, also known as a Firefighter working the Retained Duty System , RDS Firefighter, part-time firefighter or on-call firefighter, in the United Kingdom and Ireland is a professional firefighter who may have full-time employment outside of the fire service but responds to...
s and the Special Constabulary
Special Constabulary
The Special Constabulary is the part-time volunteer section of a statutory police force in the United Kingdom or some Crown dependencies. Its officers are known as Special Constables or informally as Specials.Every United Kingdom territorial police force has a special constabulary except the...
. Groups like the RNLI, the Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
and the WRVS
WRVS
The WRVS is a voluntary organisation concerned with helping people in need throughout England, Scotland and Wales....
are charitable organistaions but are pressed into service to supplement the civil defence, the armed forces and post-attack distribution of aid.
See also
- Protect and SurviveProtect and SurviveProtect and Survive was a public information series on civil defence produced by the British government during the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was intended to inform British citizens on how to protect themselves during a nuclear attack, and consisted of a mixture of pamphlets, radio broadcasts,...
- Civil Defence Information BulletinCivil Defence Information BulletinCivil Defence Information Bulletin were a series of seven public information films dealing with civil defence measures individuals and families could take in the event of a nuclear attack on Great Britain. They produced for the Home Office and the Scottish Home and Health Department by RHR...
, a precursor to Protect and Survive - Emergency Broadcast SystemEmergency Broadcast SystemThe Emergency Broadcast System was an emergency warning system in the United States, used from 1963 to 1997, when it was replaced by the Emergency Alert System.-Purpose:...
- Emergency Alert SystemEmergency Alert SystemThe Emergency Alert System is a national warning system in the United States put into place on January 1, 1997, when it superseded the Emergency Broadcast System , which itself had superseded the CONELRAD System...
- CONELRADCONELRADCONELRAD was a method of emergency broadcasting to the public of the United States in the event of enemy attack during the Cold War. It was intended to serve two purposes; to prevent Soviet bombers from homing in on American cities by using radio or TV stations as beacons, and to provide...
- HANDELHANDELHANDEL was the code-name for the UK's National Attack Warning System in the Cold War. It consisted of a small console consisting of two microphones, lights and gauges. The reason behind this was to provide a back-up if anything failed....
- Wartime Broadcasting ServiceWartime Broadcasting ServiceThe Wartime Broadcasting Service was a service of the BBC that was intended to broadcast in the United Kingdom either after a nuclear attack or if conventional bombing destroyed regular BBC facilities in a conventional war ....
- a broadcasting service run by the BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
that would operate after a nuclear attack or if conventional bombing had destroyed conventional broadcasting systems. - Four minute warningFour minute warningThe four minute warning was a public alert system conceived by the British Government during the Cold War and operated between 1953 and 1992 when the system was dismantled after the cold war ended...
External links
- UKWMO Communications chain - message dissemination
- Britain's war and transition to war plans from the cold war era
- In Time of Crisis: 'Secret State' documentary on the emergency powers (part one)
- In Time of Crisis (part two)
- In Time of Crisis (part three)