Hull Blitz 1941
The Hull Daily Mail wasted no time in preparing for Blitz. 2 January 1941 they refer to Blitzes past. Coventry, Sheffield and Manchester were already smoking ruins by then.
Reassuringly we learn that 'everyone cannot be spoon-fed at once' but that there would be enough food to go around if you were able to wait 'a few hours'. If this sounds to you like the platitudes over bog roll during the pandemic, you wouldn't be alone.
More alarmingly, water supplies could not be guaranteed. Back then most houses had water tanks in the house to supply hot water systems. This water supplied the hot taps in the house which could be used to conveniently drain the tank if the water was cut off. As long as this water was boiled before drinking, it would be safe.
In a helpful peculiarity for Hull, it lies on improbably flat land. This means there is no natural pressure for cold water supplies. The landscape is littered with high water towers similar to those you would see in midwest America. So most houses also had a cold water 'header tank' in the loft holding around 40 gallons. The image of someone filling a kettle by ladling water from a tank in the loft gives an indication of what lay in store. You can imagine a hosepipe being inserted in the tank to make this easier. The article advises in bold text not to drink water from drains or sewers.
This sober and lengthy article demonstrates how seriously Hull was prepared for attack. The preparations would not be wasted.
