Northern Ireland became a base for US and British troops.
The numbers in the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV) were increased, though they were too few to adequately defend Belfast city. When war was declared in September 1939, only a few anti-aircraft guns were available, and there was also a shortage of spotlights and barrage balloons.
In May 1940 John McDermott was appointed Minister for Public Security. His role was to ensure that Northern Ireland was properly defended and that facilities were put in place to shelter civilians. Plans were made to evacuate Belfast’s 50,000 children, but by 1941 fewer than 10% of these children had been moved from the city. The number of air raid shelters constructed was also far below what was required to house the city’s population. With only enough proper shelters for 25% of the population of Belfast, public buildings such as halls and schools were to be used for shelter. Efforts were also taken to camouflage the Stormont parliament building by covering its white stone with manure and bitumen.
Rationing was introduced on certain imported foods and fuel, though it was not as severe as the restrictions in mainland Britain. Censorship and propaganda also became more prominent as the government sought to keep morale high and encourage people to support the war effort. Until the French surrender in May 1940, the government and population were confident that the Germans would be unable to attack the North.
Local volunteers were called on to defend Belfast and other areas.
THE PURSUIT OF SOVEREIGNTY AND THE IMPACT OF PARTITION, 1912–1949 237
