Air raid precaution cigarette cards

Keep calm and smoke on.

Alex Q. Arbuckle

1938

Telephonists and postmen wearing oilskins and respirators at a civilian anti-gas school. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

In 1938 Britain, the prospect of war with Germany — and the bombing of civilian areas — was looking increasingly likely. To prepare citizens for these attacks, the government set up Air Raid Precautions (ARP), an organization tasked with training and marshaling Britons to prepare for and respond to bombs and gas attacks.One way the ARP spread information was through cigarette cards, small images and text which were distributed in packets of cigarettes. These cards, produced by tobacco company W.D. & H.O. Wills in collaboration with the government, carried lessons on setting up bomb shelters, wearing gas masks, extinguishing fires and numerous other ways to secure the homefront.

A medium trailer fire pump which could be attached to private cars or light commercial vehicles to augment the official fire services. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

Women firefighting with the aid of a two-person manual fire pump. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

A hose-laying lorry which enabled firefighters to draw water from a distant source. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

The Civilian Respirator gas mask. These were issued free to all members of the British public. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

Instructions for how to put on and adjust the Civilian Respirator. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

Air Raid Wardens wearing tin helmets, gas masks and siren suits, with a volunteer dispatch rider on a motorcycle. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

Women form a chain of buckets to keep reservoir for a two-man manual fire pump. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

Members of the Volunteer Mobile Corps, made up of owner drivers who provided transport support for the Air Raid Precautions (ARP) service, take part in a training exercise. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

A civilian first aid party running with a stretcher to rescue the injured. Numerous first aid posts were set up so as to be within easy access of those in need. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

Two mobile gas vans used to test respirators. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

Decontamination workers in full protective gear apply a paste of bleaching powder to a wall that will then be hosed down. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

Anti-Aircraft Searchlight which was operated by a detachment of 10 men. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

Choosing a refuge room in various types of house: cellar or basement is best; if none, use ground floor room with as few windows and outside walls as possible. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

Rendering a refuge room gas-proof: red arrows highlight danger points, all of which need sealing off with gummed paper strip or filling with putty. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

Equipping your refuge room: furnish with table, chairs, tinned food, tin for bread, etc., crockery, cutlery, books, wireless, gramophone, playing cards. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

Equipping a refuge room: washstand, basin, towels, soap, water, chamber pots, toilet paper, disinfectant, stirrup pump for fire-fighting, mattress and bedding, gumboots, raincoat. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

A garden dugout bunker lined with corrugated iron. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

A gas-proof balloon shelter. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

Disposing of an incendiary bomb, step one: cooling down with a jet of water from a stirrup pump. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

Disposing of an incendiary bomb, step two: covering with a scoop of sand. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

Disposing of an incendiary bomb, step three: moving with a metal scoop. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

Disposing of an incendiary bomb, step four: transferring to a Redhill container, strong enough to hold burning magnesium. Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images