the underground shelters
In the long hot summer of 1939
Plymouthians witnessed the
impending and eventual outbreak
of World War II. The extended
school summer holiday saw
furious activity in the deserted
school playgrounds and verdant
public parklands. Mechanical
excavators were busy digging
trenches in these playgrounds,
in almost every City park, and
in many sports grounds. Not
even little green shrub borders
were spared.