Transition To War - What Happens During The Transition To War

What Happens During The Transition To War

The following table gives examples of what could happen in a state of emergency 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 constables) 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 towns 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 Hospitals, 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). For example, weather forecasts are suspended. To warn of attack, give official information and free up labour for war effort. Protect and Survive public information films may be broadcast. In the case of the cancellation of weather forecasts, this could also be to prevent spies and terrorists getting information on when to attack a university campus or oil depot. Could be detrimental to morale if a popular show's pulled, broadcasting of Protect and Survive 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 and the Broadcasting Act 1980.
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 without charge or trial. Some civil rights could be suspended as the result of Parliament passing an Emergency Powers Act (e.g.:Defence of the Realm Act 1914) To prevent sabotage, mutiny and allow prosecution of the war Could be used to crack down on civil liberties and stifle dissent in a dictatorship. Civil Liberties groups will be very critical of such a decision, as it will stifle opposition because certain civil rights could be suspended.
  1. This legislation is already pre-drafted in three stages and could be imposed by an Order in Council, without parliament's say so.
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 (museums, art galleries, etc.).
8 Government commandeers commercial and private aircraft, ferries, other shipping and the Channel Tunnel. 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 towns, 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, though may be impractical to enforce. Some people could be in reserved occupations, 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.
  1. Prevent sabotage
  2. Divert supplies to war effort as well as civil authorities
  3. Prevent fires, water supplies being poisoned, damage to distribution networks
  4. Ensure supply and distribution.
 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 and the electricity boards from supplying gas and electricity.
11 Police leave cancelled. To enforce emergency laws, guard key points from Buckingham Palace 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.
  1. To control the flow and content of information so that spies do not intercept important intelligence.
  2. Keep up morale on home front, as casualty reports would be detrimental to campaign's public support.
  3. So that official information gets through clearly
 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
  1. To prevent looting by enemy soldiers in the event of an invasion
  2. Prevent the loss of artworks in the event of air attack
  3. To censor artworks that could be seen as enemy propaganda, even if their artistic merit is notable.
 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 Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve, retained firefighters 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.

Read more about this topic:  Transition To War

Famous quotes containing the words transition and/or war:

    “There is not any present moment that is unconnected with some future one. The life of every man is a continued chain of incidents, each link of which hangs upon the former. The transition from cause to effect, from event to event, is often carried on by secret steps, which our foresight cannot divine, and our sagacity is unable to trace. Evil may at some future period bring forth good; and good may bring forth evil, both equally unexpected.”
    —Joseph Addison (1672–1719)

    “Only in war are you holy, and when you are robbers and cruel.”
    —Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)