1 00:00:04,407 --> 00:00:06,204 In September 1 939, 2 00:00:06,247 --> 00:00:09,125 Britain stood on the brink of the Second WorId War. 3 00:00:10,887 --> 00:00:14,960 To avoid defeat, one battIe wouId become more important than any other. 4 00:00:18,007 --> 00:00:19,998 The battIe to produce food. 5 00:00:21,727 --> 00:00:24,195 Two-thirds of Britain's food was imported, 6 00:00:25,687 --> 00:00:28,360 and now it was under threat from a Nazi bIockade. 7 00:00:29,927 --> 00:00:34,717 To feed the nation an agricuIturaI revoIution of epic proportions was needed 8 00:00:34,767 --> 00:00:37,600 to at Ieast doubIe home-grown food production. 9 00:00:42,967 --> 00:00:46,403 ChurchiII caIIed the farms of Britain ''the front Iine of freedom''. 10 00:00:48,207 --> 00:00:52,803 Now, historian Ruth Goodman and archaeoIogists AIex LangIands and Peter Ginn 11 00:00:52,847 --> 00:00:54,838 are turning the cIock back. 12 00:00:56,647 --> 00:01:01,402 We're about to embark on the greatest challenge ever taced by British agriculture - 13 00:01:01,447 --> 00:01:03,165 the Second World War. 14 00:01:10,927 --> 00:01:12,406 (Explosion) 15 00:01:12,447 --> 00:01:15,484 Over the next year, they'II work Manor Farm in Hampshire 16 00:01:15,527 --> 00:01:18,325 as it wouId have been during the Second WorId War. 17 00:01:21,167 --> 00:01:22,839 Onward, march! 18 00:01:22,887 --> 00:01:24,525 Come on. Quick march. 19 00:01:24,927 --> 00:01:28,886 Here the team wiII reIive the struggIe of wartime farmers... 20 00:01:30,167 --> 00:01:32,158 ..to maximise food production... 21 00:01:32,687 --> 00:01:34,996 The plough really had become a weapon ot war. 22 00:01:35,567 --> 00:01:37,558 ..cope with shortages... 23 00:01:37,607 --> 00:01:39,882 - Whoa! - That is a bit ot kit. 24 00:01:39,927 --> 00:01:43,124 ..experience sociaI revoIution in the countryside... 25 00:01:45,447 --> 00:01:49,122 ..and protect and defend the south coast from the threat of invasion. 26 00:01:49,167 --> 00:01:51,397 Four men, evidence ot explosives. 27 00:01:51,447 --> 00:01:53,244 (Bomber overhead) 28 00:01:53,287 --> 00:01:57,758 This is the untoId story of the countryside at war. 29 00:02:16,567 --> 00:02:18,558 (Toots horn) 30 00:02:19,287 --> 00:02:21,278 (Crunches gears) - Oh! 31 00:02:22,567 --> 00:02:25,240 lt you can't tind it, grind it, as they say. 32 00:02:25,287 --> 00:02:28,404 In 1 939, Britain's farmers prepared for war. 33 00:02:30,447 --> 00:02:34,645 Now AIex, Ruth and Peter are on their way to their new farm in Hampshire. 34 00:02:36,327 --> 00:02:40,878 A few miIes in from the South Coast, near the ports of Southampton and Portsmouth, 35 00:02:40,927 --> 00:02:44,203 during the war, this was the front Iine against the Nazis. 36 00:02:45,287 --> 00:02:48,802 Like troops, farmers too were being mobiIised. 37 00:02:50,527 --> 00:02:53,439 So important was theirjob to the nation's survivaI 38 00:02:53,487 --> 00:02:56,285 that farming wouId become a reserved occupation 39 00:02:56,327 --> 00:02:58,397 exempt from miIitary conscription. 40 00:02:59,767 --> 00:03:02,839 60% ot our tood was being imported. 41 00:03:03,607 --> 00:03:06,644 lt's just so easy tor the Germans to cut off the supply. 42 00:03:06,687 --> 00:03:10,919 A ring ot U-boats surrounding the British lsles, effectively starving us to death. 43 00:03:15,047 --> 00:03:18,722 SuddenIy, aII the overseas food on which Britain so depended 44 00:03:18,767 --> 00:03:20,758 was in jeopardy. 45 00:03:22,207 --> 00:03:25,643 German U-boats and warships threatened to destroy convoys 46 00:03:25,687 --> 00:03:28,201 transporting suppIies across the AtIantic. 47 00:03:29,247 --> 00:03:30,726 To make things worse, 48 00:03:30,767 --> 00:03:35,045 farming in Britain had been in recession since the end of the First WorId War 49 00:03:36,047 --> 00:03:38,356 and now they'd have to doubIe production. 50 00:03:39,607 --> 00:03:45,125 This is probably one ot the greatest challenges that British agriculture had ever taced. 51 00:03:45,167 --> 00:03:49,319 Absolutely. How to turn it round after 20 years ot neglect, 52 00:03:49,367 --> 00:03:51,323 and a re-investment in the countryside. 53 00:03:52,887 --> 00:03:55,959 But the main thing - we've got a new team member. 54 00:03:56,007 --> 00:03:57,804 lsn't that right, Henry? 55 00:03:57,847 --> 00:03:59,724 All right in the back there, Henry? 56 00:03:59,767 --> 00:04:02,839 - He's going to make all the difference. - He most certainly will. 57 00:04:07,127 --> 00:04:09,197 - There you go. - lt's really pretty. 58 00:04:13,847 --> 00:04:17,283 - What a tarm. - Beautitul, isn't it? 59 00:04:24,687 --> 00:04:26,643 This is Manor Farm, 60 00:04:26,687 --> 00:04:29,076 eight miIes from Southampton, 61 00:04:29,127 --> 00:04:31,516 which they wiII work on for the coming year. 62 00:04:35,447 --> 00:04:38,962 Handing over the keys is farm manager David Trenchard. 63 00:04:39,007 --> 00:04:40,963 - Hello, David. Alex. - Alex. 64 00:04:41,007 --> 00:04:42,565 - Ruth. Hello. - Pleasure. 65 00:04:42,607 --> 00:04:44,916 - Fantastic tarm you've got here. (Henry barks) 66 00:04:44,967 --> 00:04:46,639 That's right. 67 00:04:46,687 --> 00:04:50,123 You wouldn't tind a more typical Hampshire tarm than this. 68 00:04:50,167 --> 00:04:54,080 - Where's our tirst port ot call? - We'll start in the yard and look at the stock. 69 00:04:54,127 --> 00:04:56,118 Lead on. 70 00:04:58,647 --> 00:05:01,286 Manor Farm was typicaI of the 1 930s. 71 00:05:02,327 --> 00:05:05,842 Cheap cereaI crops imported from the United States and Canada 72 00:05:06,487 --> 00:05:09,206 meant British farmers couId no Ionger compete, 73 00:05:09,247 --> 00:05:12,762 so instead of growing crops, they concentrated on Iivestock. 74 00:05:14,287 --> 00:05:17,040 - Ah, the pigs. - These are the pigs, yes. 75 00:05:17,567 --> 00:05:19,762 We keep two breeds on the tarm at the moment. 76 00:05:19,807 --> 00:05:22,116 We keep saddlebacks and this is a middle white. 77 00:05:22,167 --> 00:05:25,477 A good old pig tor your sausages and everything else. 78 00:05:25,967 --> 00:05:28,037 - They are a rare breed. - Really? 79 00:05:28,567 --> 00:05:30,558 Good girl. Good girl. 80 00:05:30,607 --> 00:05:32,598 (All chuckle) 81 00:05:33,967 --> 00:05:35,958 There you go. Have that. 82 00:05:43,287 --> 00:05:45,482 - Here's your girls. - Here's our girls. 83 00:05:46,927 --> 00:05:48,918 You can tell they're milkers. 84 00:05:48,967 --> 00:05:50,958 Yeah. Very good milkers. 85 00:05:51,487 --> 00:05:54,320 We've got a Guernsey, a Jersey and an Ayrshire there. 86 00:05:54,367 --> 00:05:55,402 Right. 87 00:05:56,327 --> 00:06:00,286 This close to Southampton there's detinitely going to be a market tor milk. 88 00:06:00,327 --> 00:06:01,646 Yeah. 89 00:06:04,567 --> 00:06:06,558 This is our milking parlour. 90 00:06:07,007 --> 00:06:08,998 - Wow. - Hey! 91 00:06:09,887 --> 00:06:11,878 That's a modern milking machine. 92 00:06:14,367 --> 00:06:15,766 Cups tor the teats. 93 00:06:15,807 --> 00:06:17,684 lt's such a reduction in labour. 94 00:06:17,727 --> 00:06:19,206 We have modernised. 95 00:06:19,247 --> 00:06:22,637 This really is the 1 939 state-ot-the-art milking parlour. 96 00:06:22,687 --> 00:06:25,485 You don't have to sit on that stool every morning, 97 00:06:25,527 --> 00:06:27,643 spending 20 minutes milking a cow now. 98 00:06:30,647 --> 00:06:34,196 Before the war, Manor Farm aIso had beef cattIe, 99 00:06:35,127 --> 00:06:37,118 sheep, 100 00:06:38,087 --> 00:06:40,078 workshops... 101 00:06:42,527 --> 00:06:44,643 ..petroI-powered farm equipment... 102 00:06:49,207 --> 00:06:51,801 ..and nearby, a wartime viIIage haII. 103 00:06:53,687 --> 00:06:56,884 Oh, look at these. Dance mania Foxtrot. 104 00:06:56,927 --> 00:06:58,758 Wow. Old gramophone records. 105 00:06:58,807 --> 00:07:00,923 The One l Love - A Fox Trot. 106 00:07:00,967 --> 00:07:03,686 We're detinitely between the two wars here, aren't we? 107 00:07:03,727 --> 00:07:06,525 This must have been ringing, this place. 108 00:07:07,007 --> 00:07:09,475 Such a popular thing to do during the war, dancing. 109 00:07:09,527 --> 00:07:12,803 Judging by the state ot this place it was an awesome party. 110 00:07:13,367 --> 00:07:18,680 We've got this tantastic archaeological record here, haven't we, ot lite during the war. 111 00:07:18,727 --> 00:07:19,796 Absolutely. 112 00:07:24,087 --> 00:07:26,476 At the heart of the farm is a row of cottages. 113 00:07:26,927 --> 00:07:31,318 Here, AIex, Peter and Ruth wiII experience wartime domestic Iife. 114 00:07:31,367 --> 00:07:33,358 Ah, the kitchen. 115 00:07:34,127 --> 00:07:36,482 - Let's have a look. - Nice light. 116 00:07:36,847 --> 00:07:39,361 - lt's a local stove. RUTH: lt's tiny. 117 00:07:39,407 --> 00:07:41,363 How am l supposed to manage with that? 118 00:07:42,527 --> 00:07:46,315 This coaI cooking range dates from weII before the First WorId War. 119 00:07:46,567 --> 00:07:51,083 By the 1 930s, they were being superseded by cIeaner and more efficient cookers. 120 00:07:51,647 --> 00:07:54,719 Look, l'll show you what l want. l've been looking. 121 00:07:54,767 --> 00:07:56,678 See? That's what l want. 122 00:07:56,727 --> 00:07:58,877 - Gas is it? - No, it's an electric cooker. 123 00:07:59,287 --> 00:08:03,246 There's gas cookers and electric cookers going in like crazy all across Britain. 124 00:08:03,287 --> 00:08:05,278 lt's clean, takes tar less work, 125 00:08:05,327 --> 00:08:07,716 and the government is saying that with war coming 126 00:08:07,767 --> 00:08:10,042 we know we'll need coal tor other things. 127 00:08:10,087 --> 00:08:12,123 Electricity is much more efficient. 128 00:08:12,167 --> 00:08:14,840 lt's encouraging people to move over to electric cooking. 129 00:08:14,887 --> 00:08:19,802 So, the lady gets a new cooker because it's all part ot the war effort. 130 00:08:19,847 --> 00:08:20,882 Yeah. 131 00:08:26,127 --> 00:08:29,722 l'm really looking torward to bringing this place back to lite, 132 00:08:30,407 --> 00:08:35,083 and seeing what it was like, living in rural Britain during the Second World War. 133 00:08:37,807 --> 00:08:41,402 Wartime in many people's minds is all about guns and aeroplanes 134 00:08:41,447 --> 00:08:43,756 and tanks and young men in unitorm. 135 00:08:44,567 --> 00:08:47,445 But it's also a period in which the British countryside 136 00:08:47,487 --> 00:08:50,320 and British country people really came back into their own. 137 00:08:50,367 --> 00:08:52,403 Timber! 138 00:08:53,127 --> 00:08:56,244 The tarmers had to produce tood and provide accommodation 139 00:08:56,287 --> 00:08:58,164 tor a huge section ot the population. 140 00:08:58,207 --> 00:09:02,439 lt was an enormously important part ot the war effort. 141 00:09:02,487 --> 00:09:04,796 l do think that sometimes it gets torgotten. 142 00:09:05,887 --> 00:09:09,641 This is an opportunity to explore an untold history. 143 00:09:09,687 --> 00:09:12,645 Here we've got a very different battle being tought. 144 00:09:12,687 --> 00:09:14,564 A battle, really, tor tood. 145 00:09:14,607 --> 00:09:18,077 That untold story is one l'm just thrilled to be exploring. 146 00:09:23,367 --> 00:09:25,881 (Rooster crows) 147 00:09:30,487 --> 00:09:32,443 Even before war was decIared 148 00:09:32,487 --> 00:09:37,925 the government anticipated that a German bIockade wouId drasticaIIy reduce food imports 149 00:09:37,967 --> 00:09:40,037 so Britain wouId have to feed itseIf. 150 00:09:41,407 --> 00:09:44,956 To do so, farmers wouId have to increase their harvests. 151 00:09:45,327 --> 00:09:47,636 Over there we've got dockdale coppice... 152 00:09:49,527 --> 00:09:53,884 The government set up War AgricuIturaI Executive Committees in every county 153 00:09:53,927 --> 00:09:55,918 to drive through these changes. 154 00:09:56,847 --> 00:10:02,126 Known as War Ags they had the power to teII farmers what fieIds to pIough up. 155 00:10:03,207 --> 00:10:08,156 So AIex and Peter are surveying the farm's 30 acres to see how it can be done. 156 00:10:09,247 --> 00:10:12,239 - So this is manor Farm here. - Yep, that's the tarm. 157 00:10:12,727 --> 00:10:15,719 And we're bound by the River Hamble here, 158 00:10:15,767 --> 00:10:17,837 coming round in this horseshoe shape. 159 00:10:17,887 --> 00:10:21,960 All ot these tields round here would relate to manor Farm. 160 00:10:23,167 --> 00:10:27,763 Ot course, the majority ot this land was all being used tor rearing livestock. 161 00:10:27,807 --> 00:10:33,803 But using Iand for Iivestock production was not the most efficient way of feeding the nation. 162 00:10:34,887 --> 00:10:36,684 lt's a simple principle really. 163 00:10:36,727 --> 00:10:40,356 lnstead ot growing all ot this teed to teed animals 164 00:10:41,327 --> 00:10:44,319 to slaughter to then teed people, 165 00:10:44,367 --> 00:10:48,201 why don't you grow the teed and teed the people directly? 166 00:10:48,247 --> 00:10:50,602 lt's a much more economic way ot teeding. 167 00:10:50,647 --> 00:10:54,925 You lose a lot ot that caloritic value trom the original tood 168 00:10:54,967 --> 00:10:58,801 by putting it through livestock betore you teed people. 169 00:10:58,847 --> 00:11:01,600 1 939 war breaks out. 170 00:11:01,647 --> 00:11:05,879 You had months to get around your tarm, as we'll be doing, 171 00:11:05,927 --> 00:11:07,997 and looking at the tields and saying, 172 00:11:08,047 --> 00:11:12,086 ''That - wheat. That - beans. That - barley.'' 173 00:11:12,127 --> 00:11:14,800 - That's what we're going to have to do. - We are. 174 00:11:16,167 --> 00:11:19,637 Over the six years of confIict, the War Ag instructed farmers 175 00:11:19,687 --> 00:11:23,475 to grow an extra 6.5 miIIion acres of crops. 176 00:11:23,887 --> 00:11:25,878 A totaI area bigger than WaIes. 177 00:11:29,087 --> 00:11:32,762 Many farmers were iII-equipped for this monumentaI chaIIenge 178 00:11:32,807 --> 00:11:35,719 as they didn't have the machinery or suitabIe Iand. 179 00:11:39,007 --> 00:11:40,998 Welcome to the badlands. 180 00:11:41,527 --> 00:11:43,518 lt l were a potter... 181 00:11:44,407 --> 00:11:46,238 ..l could make my tortune here. 182 00:11:46,287 --> 00:11:48,847 lt is beautitul, beautitul clay. 183 00:11:48,887 --> 00:11:51,276 But at the moment this clay is a hindrance. 184 00:11:52,087 --> 00:11:53,884 The water sits on it. 185 00:11:53,927 --> 00:11:57,397 lt we attempted to grow crops here, they'd be ruined. 186 00:11:57,447 --> 00:12:02,396 We need to tind some way ot draining this sitting water 187 00:12:03,487 --> 00:12:06,047 and then we'll be able to grow a tantastic crop. 188 00:12:08,687 --> 00:12:13,044 According to the map, it dips away towards a brook in the bottom ot the tield. 189 00:12:13,087 --> 00:12:16,045 So l am worried about sitting water. 190 00:12:21,687 --> 00:12:24,565 In this fieId they've decided to grow wheat 191 00:12:25,007 --> 00:12:26,998 used to produce bread. 192 00:12:36,047 --> 00:12:37,924 l've got a leatlet here, Peter. 193 00:12:37,967 --> 00:12:40,640 This is what the ministry have turnished me with. 194 00:12:40,687 --> 00:12:43,201 mole drainage tor heavy land. 195 00:12:43,527 --> 00:12:47,156 What the War Ag is recommending is the use ot a mole subsoiler. 196 00:12:47,207 --> 00:12:49,323 Essentially, it's deep cultivation. 197 00:12:49,367 --> 00:12:55,124 lt's like a little torpedo that is dragged through the soil at a depth ot what, Peter? 198 00:12:55,767 --> 00:12:58,235 Just over a toot. 199 00:12:58,847 --> 00:12:59,962 A toot to a toot and a halt. 200 00:13:00,007 --> 00:13:02,601 lt's got to be deeper than the ploughing. 201 00:13:04,127 --> 00:13:09,201 TraditionaIIy, farmers had drained fieIds with hand-dug ditches and cIay pipes 202 00:13:09,567 --> 00:13:13,799 but using a moIe subsoiIer was much quicker and cheaper 203 00:13:13,847 --> 00:13:15,917 and used extensiveIy during the war. 204 00:13:15,967 --> 00:13:18,527 1 3, 1 4, 1 5... 205 00:13:18,887 --> 00:13:22,596 First they need to survey the fieId to find out which way it sIopes. 206 00:13:23,847 --> 00:13:26,042 lt might look obvious to start with 207 00:13:26,087 --> 00:13:28,806 but l can see already that we've got a dip in there. 208 00:13:28,847 --> 00:13:32,886 There's a danger that it we drained all the way down to this point, 209 00:13:33,287 --> 00:13:35,278 even it we drain through it, 210 00:13:35,327 --> 00:13:37,887 we'd still get a build up ot water in this area. 211 00:13:38,647 --> 00:13:43,118 As archaeoIogists, surveying is second nature to AIex and Peter. 212 00:13:44,647 --> 00:13:46,285 Yep. There. Perfect. 213 00:13:46,327 --> 00:13:48,318 Just work down a little bit. 214 00:13:49,127 --> 00:13:51,118 - Here? - Yeah. 215 00:13:52,167 --> 00:13:54,158 That's what? Five teet seven? 216 00:13:54,207 --> 00:13:55,481 About 5'6''. 217 00:13:55,527 --> 00:13:57,518 5'6''. There we go. 218 00:13:58,287 --> 00:14:00,960 OK, Alex. Shall we do another line? 219 00:14:03,887 --> 00:14:05,684 Knowing the Iay of the Iand, 220 00:14:05,727 --> 00:14:08,161 they can work out where to use the moIe subsoiIer 221 00:14:08,207 --> 00:14:10,482 to make underground drainage channeIs. 222 00:14:13,167 --> 00:14:16,716 DoubIing food production put enormous demands on Iabour 223 00:14:16,767 --> 00:14:19,042 so women were drafted to work on the Iand. 224 00:14:20,167 --> 00:14:24,240 This made it important to reduce housework by modernising the kitchen. 225 00:14:25,207 --> 00:14:28,882 Ruth's caIIed on expert in househoId technoIogy Dr Karen Sayer. 226 00:14:29,807 --> 00:14:31,763 Oh, you've caught me. l'm still cleaning. 227 00:14:31,807 --> 00:14:33,843 Come on in. Sorry. 228 00:14:33,887 --> 00:14:36,606 - That's tine. - l'm absolutely tilthy. Lovely to see you. 229 00:14:36,647 --> 00:14:37,921 Good to see you too. 230 00:14:37,967 --> 00:14:41,243 l've tound this tantastic picture in my book here 231 00:14:41,287 --> 00:14:46,236 about turniture and how to lay out the home. 232 00:14:47,607 --> 00:14:51,236 And that, that's exactly what l had in mind. 233 00:14:51,487 --> 00:14:55,082 We've got electric cookers, you've got your kitchenettes. 234 00:14:55,127 --> 00:14:57,516 lt's a modern, new kitchen, ready. 235 00:14:57,567 --> 00:14:59,956 l'm going to have to disappoint you a little bit. 236 00:15:00,007 --> 00:15:01,645 Oh. 237 00:15:01,687 --> 00:15:03,359 The kitchenette is tine. 238 00:15:03,407 --> 00:15:07,400 But the electric cooker is going to be a big problem. 239 00:15:07,447 --> 00:15:10,519 - Do you have mains electricity? - No. Not the mains. 240 00:15:10,567 --> 00:15:14,606 The tact that we're not on the grid, was that common tor tarms? 241 00:15:14,647 --> 00:15:17,798 Absolutely. The majority ot tarms were not on the grid. 242 00:15:19,967 --> 00:15:24,722 In 1 939, just one in ten ruraI houses had mains eIectricity. 243 00:15:25,287 --> 00:15:27,278 But there was an aIternative. 244 00:15:30,807 --> 00:15:33,002 A portabIe, petroI-powered generator. 245 00:15:34,887 --> 00:15:37,003 PhiIip Everson has brought one aIong. 246 00:15:38,367 --> 00:15:40,278 - Goodness. You got it going. - Yes. 247 00:15:40,327 --> 00:15:42,397 Hopetully now we can have some light. 248 00:15:42,887 --> 00:15:45,924 That looks like you're about to restart Frankenstein. 249 00:15:45,967 --> 00:15:47,958 lt would probably do that as well. 250 00:15:48,007 --> 00:15:50,521 First ot all we should have lights. 251 00:15:50,567 --> 00:15:52,558 - Oh, wow! - Wow! 252 00:15:54,287 --> 00:15:58,644 This is a 50-volt set. lt runs 50 volts and up to 1 ,000 watts. 253 00:15:59,207 --> 00:16:01,801 lt's what you'd call a cottage lighting plant. 254 00:16:02,127 --> 00:16:06,166 You've run the engine during the day to charge a set ot batteries up. 255 00:16:06,207 --> 00:16:09,005 When they were tully charged, you'd put the lights on at night 256 00:16:09,047 --> 00:16:11,515 so you'd have light without listening to the engine. 257 00:16:11,567 --> 00:16:13,683 You'd use the engine to charge the batteries. 258 00:16:13,727 --> 00:16:15,365 That's a doable thing. 259 00:16:15,407 --> 00:16:18,399 We could use it to light a workshop, we could light the house. 260 00:16:18,447 --> 00:16:19,880 Absolutely, yep. 261 00:16:19,927 --> 00:16:21,918 And were there a lot ot these about? 262 00:16:21,967 --> 00:16:25,846 They made these engines trom 1 926 up until 1 964. 263 00:16:26,007 --> 00:16:28,965 The basic engines they made a quarter ot a million ot them. 264 00:16:29,007 --> 00:16:33,159 They were one ot the most successtul small-power engines ever made in the UK. 265 00:16:33,207 --> 00:16:35,084 They were almost impossible to kill. 266 00:16:35,127 --> 00:16:38,244 You could work them and abuse them and they still came back tor more. 267 00:16:38,287 --> 00:16:40,323 The tarmers loved them. 268 00:16:42,487 --> 00:16:44,478 Before they can sow the wheat 269 00:16:44,527 --> 00:16:47,644 the team need a moIe subsoiIer to improve the drainage. 270 00:16:49,007 --> 00:16:52,079 But Iow incomes during the agricuIturaI depression 271 00:16:52,127 --> 00:16:55,005 meant farmers didn't have the money to buy equipment. 272 00:16:57,927 --> 00:17:00,805 So, Iike farmers of the time, Peter must improvise 273 00:17:00,847 --> 00:17:04,760 by caIIing on the services of a bIacksmith Iike Simon Summers. 274 00:17:05,287 --> 00:17:08,996 This is essentially a bullet-shaped piece ot iron 275 00:17:09,647 --> 00:17:11,763 that gets dragged through the ground. 276 00:17:12,647 --> 00:17:14,638 lt leaves in its wake a channel. 277 00:17:14,967 --> 00:17:17,686 Basically like a pipe without any piping. 278 00:17:17,727 --> 00:17:20,525 You want a solid bit ot iron. You want some strength there. 279 00:17:20,567 --> 00:17:22,205 Serious strength. 280 00:17:22,247 --> 00:17:24,238 This is quite an undertaking. 281 00:17:26,287 --> 00:17:31,725 In 1 939, scrap metaI was going to the war effort for armaments production, 282 00:17:31,767 --> 00:17:33,485 resuIting in shortages. 283 00:17:33,527 --> 00:17:35,961 That looks like the base ot a seed drill. 284 00:17:36,007 --> 00:17:37,725 There's some good wheels on that. 285 00:17:38,167 --> 00:17:41,637 The bIacksmith, whose craft had Iong been in decIine, 286 00:17:41,687 --> 00:17:44,155 now found himseIf once more in demand. 287 00:17:44,967 --> 00:17:48,323 There's an adjustable linkage there. That could go onto the tractor. 288 00:17:48,727 --> 00:17:51,400 He had the skiII to make do and mend, 289 00:17:51,447 --> 00:17:53,677 turning rusty metaI into new machines. 290 00:17:53,727 --> 00:17:55,683 The thing l'm most concerned about 291 00:17:55,727 --> 00:17:59,322 is the actual lump ot metal that has to get dragged through the ground. 292 00:17:59,367 --> 00:18:02,882 That's iron, that is. That's wrought iron that shaft is, yeah. 293 00:18:02,927 --> 00:18:06,681 - That's pretty thick. - lt's good-quality iron, this. 294 00:18:07,407 --> 00:18:09,921 Henry, we're looking tor iron, not potatoes. 295 00:18:16,807 --> 00:18:21,756 In the forge, Simon begins the process of transforming the scrap iron axIe 296 00:18:21,807 --> 00:18:23,798 into a brand-new moIe. 297 00:18:28,807 --> 00:18:31,844 That's it. Now we're going to put it back in the tire. 298 00:18:31,887 --> 00:18:35,004 The first job is to make a buIIet-shaped nose on the moIe 299 00:18:35,047 --> 00:18:37,720 so it can be puIIed easiIy through the cIay soiI. 300 00:18:37,767 --> 00:18:39,917 This is where the sledge comes in. 301 00:18:39,967 --> 00:18:41,923 You're going to tollow my pattern. 302 00:18:41,967 --> 00:18:43,958 You tell me where to hit and l hit it. 303 00:18:44,567 --> 00:18:45,556 OK. 304 00:18:58,687 --> 00:19:03,078 We're just driving this in to cut a slot. 305 00:19:05,127 --> 00:19:08,324 We've got to be very caretul because it's so hot. 306 00:19:09,807 --> 00:19:11,638 Simon has to keep cooling the tool, 307 00:19:11,687 --> 00:19:15,600 otherwise it'll get stuck in there and we'll torge the two together. 308 00:19:21,167 --> 00:19:23,158 That's perfect. 309 00:19:27,967 --> 00:19:31,277 Once the fieIds have been drained with Peter's moIe subsoiIer, 310 00:19:31,327 --> 00:19:34,000 they'II be returned to bare earth by pIoughing. 311 00:19:34,807 --> 00:19:36,923 But AIex has spotted another probIem. 312 00:19:38,967 --> 00:19:44,485 You can't plough a tield when it's got a big, thick sward, 313 00:19:44,527 --> 00:19:46,518 a thick grass on the top ot it. 314 00:19:46,567 --> 00:19:50,401 lt just doesn't work. You've got to have it eaten down so it's almost like a carpet. 315 00:19:51,287 --> 00:19:55,917 To do this, AIex is caIIing on the beef cattIe, reared by Debbie Underwood. 316 00:19:57,727 --> 00:20:00,400 So you've built up a real rapport with this herd. 317 00:20:00,447 --> 00:20:04,042 This one we've had since she was two weeks old. 318 00:20:04,087 --> 00:20:06,601 - Really? - l used to pick her up and carry her round. 319 00:20:06,647 --> 00:20:08,842 - l don't do that any more. - l can imagine. 320 00:20:08,887 --> 00:20:11,640 She's like a lovely soppy Labrador. This is Abigail. 321 00:20:11,687 --> 00:20:13,325 lsn't she gorgeous? 322 00:20:16,687 --> 00:20:17,915 Come on, then. 323 00:20:17,967 --> 00:20:21,437 But back then this herd wouId have faced an uncertain future. 324 00:20:22,607 --> 00:20:25,963 You would have had tarmers pretty much like Debbie here 325 00:20:26,007 --> 00:20:29,317 who had grown up with cattle all their lite. 326 00:20:29,647 --> 00:20:33,037 But with war looming and this desire to grow more cereals, 327 00:20:33,087 --> 00:20:38,957 the ministry ot Agriculture wasn't going to reward tarmers who kept beet cattle. 328 00:20:42,007 --> 00:20:43,440 Come on. 329 00:20:43,487 --> 00:20:46,957 It wiII take the cattIe about three weeks to graze this grass, 330 00:20:47,007 --> 00:20:48,998 ready for pIoughing. 331 00:20:49,967 --> 00:20:51,958 This is my new kitchenette. 332 00:20:52,007 --> 00:20:53,963 l'm so pleased with this. 333 00:20:54,367 --> 00:20:58,440 Ruth and Karen are furnishing the kitchen with Iabour-saving devices. 334 00:20:58,887 --> 00:21:01,959 lsn't it lovely? A lovely enamelled surface. 335 00:21:02,007 --> 00:21:05,238 - Easy to wipe down tor your pastry preparation. - Absolutely perfect. 336 00:21:05,287 --> 00:21:09,997 All your tood storage all cleanly tidied away. lt's great, isn't it? 337 00:21:12,087 --> 00:21:16,683 With the generator finaIIy connected up, Ruth has eIectric Iight in the cottage. 338 00:21:17,327 --> 00:21:18,601 Fantastic. 339 00:21:21,847 --> 00:21:22,882 Ooh. 340 00:21:27,447 --> 00:21:30,280 HopefuIIy she'II have better Iuck with the radio. 341 00:21:30,327 --> 00:21:31,999 Whoops. 342 00:21:32,647 --> 00:21:34,638 (Music and voices) 343 00:21:35,927 --> 00:21:40,557 This is how you're going to get all the news ot current affairs and what's happening, 344 00:21:40,607 --> 00:21:42,996 particularly as you go turther into the war. 345 00:21:43,807 --> 00:21:46,321 The newspapers had to be cut down incredibly. 346 00:21:46,367 --> 00:21:48,835 Sometimes they're only tour sides at a time. 347 00:21:49,367 --> 00:21:53,155 So the best way ot tinding out exactly what's going on... 348 00:21:53,607 --> 00:21:56,246 This really is your connection with the wider world. 349 00:21:56,287 --> 00:21:57,879 Absolutely. 350 00:21:59,527 --> 00:22:02,519 EIectricity aIso meant new Iabour-saving gadgets. 351 00:22:03,207 --> 00:22:05,198 Oh! (Laughs) 352 00:22:05,807 --> 00:22:07,445 Now we're talking. 353 00:22:07,487 --> 00:22:11,685 The perfect appliance to make your lite so much easier. 354 00:22:12,047 --> 00:22:16,040 TraditionaIIy, an iron was a piece of fIat metaI heated on a coaI range. 355 00:22:16,487 --> 00:22:19,604 Now they were repIaced by ones you couId simpIy pIug in. 356 00:22:19,967 --> 00:22:23,243 - So it's a bayonet like a bulb. - A bayonet exactly like a bulb. 357 00:22:23,687 --> 00:22:25,279 That's it. 358 00:22:25,327 --> 00:22:27,283 Wow! 359 00:22:27,327 --> 00:22:29,522 How much taster is that? 360 00:22:29,567 --> 00:22:32,240 That's not only tast but that's so clean. 361 00:22:32,287 --> 00:22:35,836 You don't have to worry about smuts getting on your laundry. 362 00:22:35,887 --> 00:22:40,722 SmaII generators weren't capabIe of powering Iarge appIiances, though, 363 00:22:40,767 --> 00:22:42,758 Iike eIectric cookers. 364 00:22:43,247 --> 00:22:46,523 But there was a modern, convenient repIacement for the coaI range. 365 00:22:46,567 --> 00:22:48,205 Paraffin stoves. 366 00:22:48,887 --> 00:22:51,321 They're supposed to be treestanding. 367 00:22:51,367 --> 00:22:53,358 No plumbing in, no tixing to anything. 368 00:22:53,407 --> 00:22:55,967 lt's just a little stand-alone box. 369 00:22:56,007 --> 00:22:58,521 This is the way torward. This is modernity. 370 00:23:01,047 --> 00:23:04,198 So it's just a series ot tlat paraffin lamps. 371 00:23:04,247 --> 00:23:07,876 - This is nothing new, is it? - lt's exactly like oil lamps. 372 00:23:07,927 --> 00:23:10,600 People would have been very used to using this. 373 00:23:10,647 --> 00:23:14,037 That helps with the idea ot the adoption ot the technology as well. 374 00:23:14,087 --> 00:23:15,884 You can see that in the styling. 375 00:23:15,927 --> 00:23:19,078 lt's all painted black to look like a range, 376 00:23:19,127 --> 00:23:21,436 and yet it's made ot really thin sheet metal. 377 00:23:21,487 --> 00:23:23,921 And that's to make people teel very comtortable. 378 00:23:23,967 --> 00:23:26,800 - l'm really looking torward to cooking on this. - l bet you are. 379 00:23:26,847 --> 00:23:28,758 lt's going to be so different. 380 00:23:28,807 --> 00:23:31,196 lt's going to be so much easier presumably. 381 00:23:31,247 --> 00:23:33,044 No smoke. 382 00:23:33,087 --> 00:23:35,806 You're not having to shovel coal or anthracite. 383 00:23:35,847 --> 00:23:37,678 much less labour intensive. 384 00:23:43,767 --> 00:23:45,758 OK, you get the sledge, Peter. 385 00:23:46,207 --> 00:23:49,040 To drain the boggy Iand for cereaI production 386 00:23:49,087 --> 00:23:52,762 Peter and bIacksmith Simon Summers are making a moIe subsoiIer. 387 00:23:53,367 --> 00:23:55,358 Whack it down, yeah? 388 00:23:55,927 --> 00:23:57,246 Got you. 389 00:23:57,287 --> 00:23:59,721 So far they've made the head of the moIe. 390 00:23:59,767 --> 00:24:04,045 Next they must make a strong bracket to hoId it in pIace beIow the ground. 391 00:24:04,447 --> 00:24:06,563 Now we need to make another cut up here. 392 00:24:07,247 --> 00:24:10,239 move it along, probably about there. 393 00:24:11,447 --> 00:24:15,235 But the best they can find is a rusty Victorian cartwheeI rim. 394 00:24:20,607 --> 00:24:22,598 lt's really good iron. 395 00:24:22,807 --> 00:24:24,877 lt's such a waste it we don't reuse it. 396 00:24:25,447 --> 00:24:28,678 Once we get up to a certain temperature the rust comes off. 397 00:24:28,727 --> 00:24:31,480 lt'll just be like bright new iron again. 398 00:24:35,527 --> 00:24:37,040 The bracket's finished. 399 00:24:37,087 --> 00:24:39,078 Now to attach it to the moIe itseIf. 400 00:24:47,407 --> 00:24:49,284 Right. Here comes the hot rivet. 401 00:24:49,327 --> 00:24:50,601 ln it goes. 402 00:24:50,647 --> 00:24:53,684 So, through. lt catches, 403 00:24:53,727 --> 00:24:55,080 mushrooms... 404 00:24:55,127 --> 00:24:57,197 OK, tlip. 405 00:24:57,247 --> 00:24:59,238 (Ringing thuds) 406 00:25:00,327 --> 00:25:02,443 You can see why blacksmiths went deat. 407 00:25:03,287 --> 00:25:07,803 And there we have it. Entirely made trom scrap iron we tound in a hedgerow. 408 00:25:07,847 --> 00:25:11,920 Old machinery that we've turned into a new machine. Fantastic. 409 00:25:16,767 --> 00:25:20,396 Peter is buiIding a chassis to carry his moIe subsoiIer. 410 00:25:21,767 --> 00:25:27,125 Hopetully this is going to aid keeping the mole in the ground. 411 00:25:27,647 --> 00:25:30,764 And... Dear lord... Here we go. 412 00:25:31,247 --> 00:25:33,238 Slide that in like that. 413 00:25:33,767 --> 00:25:37,316 This project is a mix ot quite intense stress. 414 00:25:37,367 --> 00:25:40,484 Obviously it's got to be done to a certain time limit. 415 00:25:40,527 --> 00:25:42,518 But also one ot immense joy. 416 00:25:43,087 --> 00:25:47,205 lt's just so much tun to have a workshop, to have a torge, to be able to tinker around. 417 00:25:47,247 --> 00:25:49,238 All good stuff. 418 00:25:50,607 --> 00:25:54,680 Peter wiII need a machine to puII the moIe subsoiIer through the ground. 419 00:25:56,447 --> 00:26:01,475 But in 1 939 there were 20 horses to every tractor on Britain's farms. 420 00:26:02,687 --> 00:26:06,157 If farmers were to doubIe food production to meet the demands of war, 421 00:26:06,207 --> 00:26:09,517 they'd have to repIace horsepower with mechanicaI power. 422 00:26:09,567 --> 00:26:12,764 UnIike horses, tractors don't need to rest. 423 00:26:14,927 --> 00:26:17,999 Pete Diggs, who has farmed in this area his whoIe Iife, 424 00:26:18,047 --> 00:26:23,201 is giving AIex and Ruth a Iesson in driving the most popuIar wartime tractor- 425 00:26:23,247 --> 00:26:25,203 the Fordson. 426 00:26:25,247 --> 00:26:27,203 Hello, Peter. 427 00:26:27,247 --> 00:26:29,841 So this is her, is it? ls she going to do all the work tor us? 428 00:26:29,887 --> 00:26:31,878 Well, we hope so. 429 00:26:32,167 --> 00:26:34,556 You've got a nice sprung seat here. 430 00:26:35,167 --> 00:26:37,078 There's no cushions 431 00:26:37,127 --> 00:26:42,918 but l can remember putting straw into a jute sack and tying that on. 432 00:26:43,247 --> 00:26:46,159 - Yeah. - lt was much more comtortable on the bum. 433 00:26:46,207 --> 00:26:47,959 l bet it was. 434 00:26:48,007 --> 00:26:50,885 lt's no easy job starting it. 435 00:26:52,047 --> 00:26:54,197 make sure you've got plenty ot oil there. 436 00:26:54,247 --> 00:26:55,760 OK. 437 00:26:56,127 --> 00:27:00,917 During the war, tractor numbers on British farms wouId more than tripIe 438 00:27:00,967 --> 00:27:05,245 from 55,000 to over 1 75,000. 439 00:27:06,367 --> 00:27:09,359 But the Fordson was notoriousIy difficuIt to start. 440 00:27:09,927 --> 00:27:11,918 As Ruth's about to discover. 441 00:27:11,967 --> 00:27:15,039 And then wind with the starting handle. 442 00:27:15,087 --> 00:27:17,157 Shall we make Ruth crank this? 443 00:27:17,207 --> 00:27:19,516 Oh, you'll have muscles now. 444 00:27:19,807 --> 00:27:21,798 l've got muscles. 445 00:27:23,847 --> 00:27:25,838 Blinkin' heck. 446 00:27:26,607 --> 00:27:28,279 Jeepers! 447 00:27:28,327 --> 00:27:31,558 DoubIing crop production wouId need a huge increase in Iabour, 448 00:27:31,607 --> 00:27:34,326 so women were caIIed upon to drive the tractors. 449 00:27:34,367 --> 00:27:36,358 (Groans) 450 00:27:37,367 --> 00:27:38,402 Oh! 451 00:27:40,567 --> 00:27:45,436 - much easier to take a horse out ot a stable. - Yeah. Probably quicker at my rate an' all. 452 00:27:45,487 --> 00:27:47,762 (Engine turns over) - Did you hear that? 453 00:27:48,567 --> 00:27:51,718 (Turns again) - Ooh, nearly. Nearly! 454 00:27:52,687 --> 00:27:54,678 Do you want me to...? 455 00:27:54,727 --> 00:27:55,796 No. 456 00:27:58,567 --> 00:28:01,445 That's the kind ot wartime attitude we need, Ruth. 457 00:28:02,207 --> 00:28:04,198 (Engine starts) 458 00:28:05,407 --> 00:28:07,398 Congratulations, Ruth. 459 00:28:08,127 --> 00:28:10,118 Oil and all. 460 00:28:13,567 --> 00:28:15,762 You are going to stand well back, aren't you? 461 00:28:15,807 --> 00:28:17,798 Yes. Absolutely, Ruth. 462 00:28:19,647 --> 00:28:20,796 Wooh! 463 00:28:21,967 --> 00:28:23,958 (Crunches gears) 464 00:28:32,927 --> 00:28:34,918 Let's let her get on with it, Peter. 465 00:28:36,287 --> 00:28:38,278 RUTH: Yes! 466 00:28:39,767 --> 00:28:42,281 Pete wasjust seven when war broke out. 467 00:28:42,727 --> 00:28:46,515 He witnessed the transition from horsepower to mechanicaI power. 468 00:28:47,327 --> 00:28:49,318 That was Captain and that was Dick. 469 00:28:50,167 --> 00:28:52,761 As you see, l started very very young. 470 00:28:53,407 --> 00:28:54,999 l love this. 471 00:28:55,047 --> 00:28:58,039 - That's you there on top ot a big dray. - That's it. 472 00:28:58,087 --> 00:29:00,806 And l take it these aren't your boots here. 473 00:29:00,847 --> 00:29:02,838 No, that is my tather's. 474 00:29:03,687 --> 00:29:06,326 l nicked them one day and was off down to the tarm. 475 00:29:06,367 --> 00:29:08,198 You wanted to be a tarmer trom a young age. 476 00:29:08,247 --> 00:29:09,236 That's it. 477 00:29:09,287 --> 00:29:11,755 Come on, darling, come on. Come on, come on. 478 00:29:13,047 --> 00:29:15,038 (Engine stalls) - Ah! 479 00:29:15,447 --> 00:29:17,403 l've stalled her. 480 00:29:17,447 --> 00:29:19,199 lt's the gear changes. 481 00:29:19,247 --> 00:29:22,159 - Were you attempting second? - l was trying second. 482 00:29:22,207 --> 00:29:24,596 - You were attempting second gear? - Yeah. 483 00:29:33,487 --> 00:29:35,478 l'd better go over there and see. 484 00:29:35,967 --> 00:29:37,958 (Chuckles) 485 00:29:40,727 --> 00:29:44,402 In the workshop, Peter's moIe subsoiIer is taking shape, 486 00:29:44,767 --> 00:29:48,680 but there aren't enough hours of dayIight to get it finished in time. 487 00:29:48,727 --> 00:29:52,242 Using the generator to Iight the workshop shouId heIp. 488 00:29:52,567 --> 00:29:58,722 This is going to make such a difference... 489 00:29:59,327 --> 00:30:03,605 ..because it's going to enable me to work throughout the evening. 490 00:30:06,087 --> 00:30:09,443 If they don't get the fieIds drained and pIoughed in the next few days, 491 00:30:09,487 --> 00:30:11,876 they won't get the wheat crops sown in time. 492 00:30:14,767 --> 00:30:16,246 Finally. 493 00:30:16,287 --> 00:30:17,959 There we go. 494 00:30:18,007 --> 00:30:19,599 Oh, dear. 495 00:30:27,007 --> 00:30:28,998 On the 3rd September 1 939 496 00:30:29,727 --> 00:30:31,718 at quarter past 1 1 in the morning, 497 00:30:31,767 --> 00:30:33,644 Prime Minister NeviIIe ChamberIain 498 00:30:33,687 --> 00:30:36,599 made the announcement the nation had been bracing itseIf for. 499 00:30:38,127 --> 00:30:41,403 WlRELESS: This morning the British ambassador in BerIin 500 00:30:41,967 --> 00:30:46,119 handed the German government the finaI note 501 00:30:46,167 --> 00:30:51,844 stating that unIess we heard from them by 1 1 o'cIock, 502 00:30:51,887 --> 00:30:56,961 and they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from PoIand, 503 00:30:57,007 --> 00:30:59,999 a state of war wouId exist between us. 504 00:31:01,967 --> 00:31:06,916 I have to teII you now that no such undertaking has been received 505 00:31:07,887 --> 00:31:13,405 and that consequentIy this country is at war with Germany. 506 00:31:21,687 --> 00:31:27,239 Somebody who was my age in 1 939... l'd have been in my mid-20s in the First War. 507 00:31:27,687 --> 00:31:30,884 The sort ot age, you know, you're losing husbands, losing brothers. 508 00:31:30,927 --> 00:31:34,636 - Yeah. - You have such a strong experience ot it. 509 00:31:35,007 --> 00:31:36,440 And then here it is all again. 510 00:31:36,487 --> 00:31:39,797 So you're sat here, you're listening to Chamberlain say, you know, 511 00:31:39,847 --> 00:31:44,284 ''l regret to tell you we're now at war again against the same people.'' 512 00:31:44,327 --> 00:31:48,161 You could lose your husband in the First War and your son in the Second. l mean... 513 00:31:48,207 --> 00:31:53,361 Even so, you'd be sat here looking out ot the window scarcely able to believe it. 514 00:31:53,447 --> 00:31:55,199 Beautitul summer's day like this. 515 00:32:05,207 --> 00:32:09,246 Britain was now expecting to be bombed by the Nazis at any time. 516 00:32:12,167 --> 00:32:16,365 Air-Raid Precaution Wardens were tasked with protecting the popuIation. 517 00:32:17,247 --> 00:32:20,603 Steve TayIor is an expert in wartime civiI defence. 518 00:32:20,967 --> 00:32:22,923 - One. - One tor you. 519 00:32:22,967 --> 00:32:24,958 - Two. - One tor you. 520 00:32:25,007 --> 00:32:29,398 The Government assumed that the Nazis wouId use poison gas on the popuIation. 521 00:32:29,847 --> 00:32:33,635 So a gas mask was issued to every man, woman and chiId in the country. 522 00:32:33,847 --> 00:32:37,760 How do we know there's going to be an attack? Are we looking out ourselves tor bombers? 523 00:32:37,807 --> 00:32:41,641 You will hear either an air-raid siren or a rattle. 524 00:32:41,687 --> 00:32:44,076 l've got the gas rattle here. l can show you. 525 00:32:45,167 --> 00:32:48,842 So once you hear that, it's gas mask on immediately. 526 00:32:48,887 --> 00:32:54,405 But as soon as there's an all-clear, there'll be an all-clear siren or my trusty ARP whistle... 527 00:32:55,007 --> 00:32:57,123 (Blows) 528 00:32:57,727 --> 00:32:59,604 - ..will tell you it's all clear. - Right, OK. 529 00:33:00,887 --> 00:33:04,562 It was aIso feared Britain wouId suffer night-bombing. 530 00:33:04,607 --> 00:33:06,359 A totaI bIackout on the ground 531 00:33:06,407 --> 00:33:09,285 wouId make Iocating the target much more difficuIt for the enemy. 532 00:33:10,367 --> 00:33:13,120 Steve's demonstrating how doors were bIacked out 533 00:33:13,167 --> 00:33:15,158 using a Iight break. 534 00:33:15,207 --> 00:33:17,198 OK, so it's late at night. 535 00:33:17,727 --> 00:33:19,797 But there's a kerfuffle in the tarmyard. 536 00:33:19,847 --> 00:33:22,805 - Kerfuffle. - The sound ot a tox at the chickens. 537 00:33:22,967 --> 00:33:24,605 - l go in here... - ln here. 538 00:33:24,647 --> 00:33:27,719 - ..make sure l've closed the curtain. - make sure you've closed it. 539 00:33:27,767 --> 00:33:29,041 And then open the door. 540 00:33:29,087 --> 00:33:31,078 And door open. 541 00:33:31,247 --> 00:33:33,317 Can you see any light coming in round the edges? 542 00:33:33,367 --> 00:33:36,245 - Only through the moth holes. - There we go. 543 00:33:39,847 --> 00:33:43,760 To bIack out the windows, AIex and Peter are making removabIe frames. 544 00:33:49,527 --> 00:33:51,518 One bespoke blackout trame. 545 00:33:55,087 --> 00:33:57,555 - Not a single pinprick. - Proper job, mate. 546 00:33:58,447 --> 00:33:59,766 Right, tantastic. 547 00:33:59,807 --> 00:34:01,399 Fantastic. That is a great job. 548 00:34:01,447 --> 00:34:04,405 Now all we need to do is to get that blackout curtain up, isn't it? 549 00:34:04,447 --> 00:34:06,756 All you need to do is get that blackout curtain up. 550 00:34:06,807 --> 00:34:07,603 Right. 551 00:34:07,647 --> 00:34:08,921 Others have mole ploughs. 552 00:34:08,967 --> 00:34:11,117 Ot course, you need to get that done. 553 00:34:13,807 --> 00:34:18,119 With war, the threat of German U-boats cutting off imports became a reaIity. 554 00:34:19,647 --> 00:34:23,401 It wasn't just stapIe foods Iike wheat that were under threat. 555 00:34:23,447 --> 00:34:27,884 Imported fruits containing vitamin C were essentiaI to the heaIth of the nation, 556 00:34:27,927 --> 00:34:29,918 particuIarIy chiIdren. 557 00:34:30,487 --> 00:34:35,481 As a boy, Ruth's father Geoff SteeIy was sent into the countryside 558 00:34:35,527 --> 00:34:37,518 to forage for aIternatives. 559 00:34:39,087 --> 00:34:41,885 l remember you telling me about doing this, picking rosehips. 560 00:34:41,927 --> 00:34:44,395 - How much did they pay you? - Tuppence a pound. 561 00:34:44,447 --> 00:34:46,563 - Tuppence a pound. - Tuppence a pound. 562 00:34:46,607 --> 00:34:49,519 Which was quite good tor pocket money days. lt really was. 563 00:34:51,287 --> 00:34:54,484 lt you did it on the wet days, ot course they weighed more. 564 00:34:55,087 --> 00:34:56,566 Which was quite good. 565 00:34:56,607 --> 00:34:59,644 That was your compensation tor being out in bad weather. 566 00:34:59,687 --> 00:35:01,882 And with all the men away, 567 00:35:01,927 --> 00:35:04,361 it was left to the women and largely the boys 568 00:35:04,407 --> 00:35:06,967 to go round the hedges, tind apples, 569 00:35:07,007 --> 00:35:08,838 pick these berries and so torth. 570 00:35:08,887 --> 00:35:12,197 And why rosehips so much? Because there's not much tood value in them. 571 00:35:12,247 --> 00:35:14,715 Ah, but there's vitamin C. 572 00:35:14,767 --> 00:35:18,680 So all the sources ot vitamin C we've got used to, oranges and lemons, no longer come in. 573 00:35:18,727 --> 00:35:22,720 And limes. All that sort ot mediterranean-type stuff couldn't get through. 574 00:35:22,767 --> 00:35:26,680 So we're scratching about trying to tind native British equivalents. 575 00:35:30,367 --> 00:35:35,282 Ruth's preserving the rosehips in syrup, so it can be taken throughout the winter. 576 00:35:35,327 --> 00:35:37,318 The long, slow, gentle cooking... 577 00:35:39,047 --> 00:35:41,038 ..has suited them quite well. 578 00:35:41,687 --> 00:35:46,841 So now l just need to strain all that liquid off. 579 00:35:47,887 --> 00:35:49,878 Look at the colour. 580 00:35:50,527 --> 00:35:53,758 So what l'm getting out here, really... 581 00:35:53,807 --> 00:35:56,116 Well, it's the vitamin C is what we're after. 582 00:35:56,167 --> 00:35:58,317 And that tleshy bit around the seed. 583 00:35:58,367 --> 00:36:00,756 lt's just like making jam or jelly, really. 584 00:36:04,727 --> 00:36:07,400 And once this has all drained out, 585 00:36:09,287 --> 00:36:11,517 l'll just have to make it into a syrup with sugar. 586 00:36:14,247 --> 00:36:16,477 The sugar's there to preserve the truit. 587 00:36:17,087 --> 00:36:19,078 Then when l bottle it, it'll keep. 588 00:36:24,887 --> 00:36:26,479 Just like dancing. 589 00:36:26,527 --> 00:36:30,122 FinaIIy, Peter's moIe subsoiIer is finished. 590 00:36:30,167 --> 00:36:31,361 Let me get round there. 591 00:36:31,407 --> 00:36:32,886 One more. 592 00:36:33,847 --> 00:36:34,677 Da-da! 593 00:36:35,407 --> 00:36:38,843 And the team can drain the fieId in preparation for sowing the wheat. 594 00:36:40,767 --> 00:36:43,156 Finally. All those hours out in the shed. 595 00:36:43,207 --> 00:36:45,198 Yep. 596 00:36:46,007 --> 00:36:47,645 lt's quite a contraption, isn't it? 597 00:36:47,687 --> 00:36:51,316 l have got the plan that Peter and l... We surveyed the tield. 598 00:36:51,847 --> 00:36:55,556 We put in all the levels. But l think the tirst thing to do is to just concentrate. 599 00:36:55,607 --> 00:36:58,599 We're up here. l'm just getting in these main drains. 600 00:36:59,327 --> 00:37:00,157 Yeah. 601 00:37:00,207 --> 00:37:02,482 Before Peter's contraption can prove itseIf, 602 00:37:02,527 --> 00:37:05,997 there's the perenniaI probIem of getting the tractor to start. 603 00:37:06,047 --> 00:37:08,038 - Damn the Fordson. - (Ruth laughs) 604 00:37:08,487 --> 00:37:10,478 Damn it. 605 00:37:11,727 --> 00:37:13,718 (Tractor starts) 606 00:37:26,447 --> 00:37:28,085 Stand back! 607 00:37:28,127 --> 00:37:29,958 (Crunch ot gears) 608 00:37:37,847 --> 00:37:39,838 It's not going according to pIan. 609 00:37:40,767 --> 00:37:45,477 IdeaIIy, the moIe shouId be cutting a channeI about a foot beneath the surface. 610 00:37:50,007 --> 00:37:52,282 Right, shall l try standing on this? 611 00:37:52,327 --> 00:37:54,318 On there. 612 00:37:55,167 --> 00:37:56,520 Yeah. 613 00:37:56,567 --> 00:37:58,558 This is bizarre. 614 00:38:10,367 --> 00:38:14,042 Why don't we dig a hole and put the mole in and start with it already in the ground 615 00:38:14,087 --> 00:38:15,759 rather than trying to let it go down? 616 00:38:18,727 --> 00:38:20,479 When war broke out, 617 00:38:20,527 --> 00:38:24,440 there were aImost four miIIion acres of Iand Iike this that needed draining. 618 00:38:32,127 --> 00:38:33,446 OK, let's go. 619 00:38:38,927 --> 00:38:43,125 The problem is, it's just pulled it... the path ot least resistance, 620 00:38:43,167 --> 00:38:45,158 which is up out ot the ground. 621 00:38:46,407 --> 00:38:50,923 It's cIear the chassis buiIt by Peter is too Iight to keep the moIe in the ground. 622 00:38:52,167 --> 00:38:53,600 In a corner of the farmyard, 623 00:38:53,647 --> 00:38:57,845 AIex has found a much heavier chassis to fit Peter's moIe subsoiIer to. 624 00:38:57,887 --> 00:38:59,798 That sun's nearly down. 625 00:39:01,967 --> 00:39:04,845 That's it. Lovely. That's wonderful. 626 00:39:04,887 --> 00:39:08,323 But things are about to go from bad to worse. 627 00:39:09,767 --> 00:39:14,477 The improvised bracket hoIding the moIe has bent, because it isn't strong enough. 628 00:39:17,567 --> 00:39:19,558 That's that, then, isn't it? 629 00:39:19,607 --> 00:39:21,882 Time is running out to get the crops sown. 630 00:39:22,447 --> 00:39:25,041 So they'II have to abandon draining the fieId. 631 00:39:27,247 --> 00:39:32,162 As Peter has discovered, improvising farm machinery is no easy task. 632 00:39:33,567 --> 00:39:37,003 But for the wartime farmer, this couId have been disastrous, 633 00:39:37,047 --> 00:39:39,038 and incurred the wrath of the War Ag. 634 00:39:39,727 --> 00:39:44,243 lt our tields tlood, you know, the War Ag would look at us and they'd say, 635 00:39:44,287 --> 00:39:45,845 ''We need to move them on.'' 636 00:39:45,887 --> 00:39:51,484 So we'd just better hope, against hopes, that we have an extremely dry summer. 637 00:39:57,527 --> 00:40:02,521 A farmer's duties to the nation didn't end with attempting to doubIe crop production. 638 00:40:04,207 --> 00:40:07,677 Their knowIedge of the Iandscape made them invaIuabIe recruits 639 00:40:07,727 --> 00:40:10,366 to one of the war's most secret organisations. 640 00:40:11,207 --> 00:40:13,516 The AuxiIiary Units. 641 00:40:13,567 --> 00:40:15,478 You names have been put torward 642 00:40:15,527 --> 00:40:21,557 as men who would like to do something more tor the war effort. 643 00:40:21,607 --> 00:40:24,405 - ls this something...? - Absolutely. Absolutely. 644 00:40:24,447 --> 00:40:26,085 l mean, everything we can. 645 00:40:27,007 --> 00:40:29,475 The AuxiIiary Unit was a resistance force in waiting. 646 00:40:30,127 --> 00:40:32,641 A Iast Iine of defence against Nazi invasion. 647 00:40:34,967 --> 00:40:39,836 Steve Mason is an expert on the AuxiIiary Units stationed here on the South Coast. 648 00:40:40,127 --> 00:40:43,119 Do you think you could kill another man in cold blood? 649 00:40:44,647 --> 00:40:46,046 Tough. 650 00:40:46,087 --> 00:40:50,524 This is the sort ot question that was being put to people at the time? Farmers? 651 00:40:50,567 --> 00:40:51,682 Absolutely. 652 00:40:52,247 --> 00:40:55,557 But it really comes down to your personal mettle. 653 00:40:55,607 --> 00:40:59,156 So this is something beyond the Home Guard. 654 00:40:59,207 --> 00:41:01,482 This is a sort ot secret service, isn't it? 655 00:41:01,527 --> 00:41:05,156 Absolutely. Just like the cells they're setting up in Europe at the same time, 656 00:41:06,007 --> 00:41:07,235 a resistance movement. 657 00:41:07,287 --> 00:41:10,006 We've heard ot Home Guard but why don't we hear ot these guys? 658 00:41:10,047 --> 00:41:14,563 Because the people who joined this resistance movement had to sign the Official Secrets Act. 659 00:41:14,607 --> 00:41:16,359 So l suppose it, during the war, 660 00:41:16,407 --> 00:41:21,322 it we were held back in a reserved occupation and we were ot a certain age, 661 00:41:21,767 --> 00:41:26,443 then we'd be seen as kind ot people who both knew the land, being tarmers, 662 00:41:26,487 --> 00:41:29,001 - and also quite able-bodied. - Absolutely. 663 00:41:29,807 --> 00:41:36,565 So these are photographs ot the men who actually were the Auxiliaries tor this locality. 664 00:41:36,847 --> 00:41:38,838 You were never to discuss this thing ever. 665 00:41:38,887 --> 00:41:42,357 l've spoken to one surviving auxiliary who was 1 8 at the time. 666 00:41:42,407 --> 00:41:44,682 - Right. - So he's young enough still now 667 00:41:44,727 --> 00:41:46,001 to talk about it. 668 00:41:46,047 --> 00:41:49,437 He only wants to discuss the people in that photograph who are dead. 669 00:41:50,927 --> 00:41:53,441 With the Nazis poised to invade, 670 00:41:53,487 --> 00:41:56,445 the AuxiIiary Unit were ready to go to ground 671 00:41:56,487 --> 00:41:59,604 and form a guerriIIa network to destroy enemy infrastructure. 672 00:42:01,007 --> 00:42:03,919 Their instruction manuaIs were cunningIy disguised. 673 00:42:03,967 --> 00:42:05,241 lt's got a cover 674 00:42:05,287 --> 00:42:07,642 so it a German invading just picked it up, 675 00:42:07,687 --> 00:42:10,724 they would hopetully think that it was an out-ot-date calendar 676 00:42:10,767 --> 00:42:12,041 and not look inside. 677 00:42:12,807 --> 00:42:16,561 And this tells you how to handle explosives. 678 00:42:17,647 --> 00:42:19,717 And again, more tricks ot the trade. 679 00:42:19,767 --> 00:42:21,758 How to blow up a petrol tank. 680 00:42:22,807 --> 00:42:25,401 How to blow up railway lines. 681 00:42:26,247 --> 00:42:30,206 Do you think, putting yourselves back there, would you really have signed up tor this? 682 00:42:30,247 --> 00:42:33,956 - What do you think? - l think so. 683 00:42:34,007 --> 00:42:38,159 lt you're a reserved occupation like a tarmer, tor example, 684 00:42:38,647 --> 00:42:41,923 is there going to be a sense that you want to be out there on the tront line? 685 00:42:41,967 --> 00:42:45,721 Although you're tarming, there's a sense that you're going to want a bit ot action. 686 00:42:45,767 --> 00:42:47,598 - ltching to get involved? - Yeah. 687 00:42:47,647 --> 00:42:51,640 l wonder whether that might have played a part in some people signing up. 688 00:42:51,687 --> 00:42:52,915 A number ot them do say that. 689 00:42:52,967 --> 00:42:56,642 They actually just wanted to get their hands on some action, as corny as it sounds. 690 00:43:04,967 --> 00:43:08,596 Unbeknown to the boys, Iike many farmers' wives, 691 00:43:08,647 --> 00:43:12,401 Ruth too has been conscripted into secret service. 692 00:43:17,327 --> 00:43:20,444 Gardening has taken on a whole new signiticance tor me. 693 00:43:20,727 --> 00:43:22,718 Particularly this potting shed. 694 00:43:22,927 --> 00:43:27,159 Because, whilst the boys think l'm working in the garden, 695 00:43:27,447 --> 00:43:29,961 and they're well out ot the way in the tields, 696 00:43:30,087 --> 00:43:32,078 what l'm really doing in here... 697 00:43:34,687 --> 00:43:36,166 ..is this. 698 00:43:37,927 --> 00:43:41,124 Ruth's been recruited into the SpeciaI Duties Section. 699 00:43:41,847 --> 00:43:47,080 Their mission, to handIe communications between AuxiIiary Units in the fieId and HQ. 700 00:43:47,207 --> 00:43:49,198 This is my aerial. 701 00:43:49,727 --> 00:43:52,241 About three and a halt thousand people were involved. 702 00:43:52,287 --> 00:43:54,847 Vicars, bar maids, tarmers, 703 00:43:54,887 --> 00:43:57,082 tarmers' wives and housewives. 704 00:43:57,127 --> 00:43:59,766 And yet, almost nobody knows about it. 705 00:43:59,967 --> 00:44:01,878 They really just kept that quiet. 706 00:44:01,927 --> 00:44:06,000 There are instances in which a wite was doing this with the radio 707 00:44:06,047 --> 00:44:09,403 whilst the husband was out doing other auxiliary work 708 00:44:09,447 --> 00:44:13,122 and neither ot them told each other until they were in their 80s or 90s. 709 00:44:13,167 --> 00:44:16,045 Years and years and years later. 710 00:44:16,087 --> 00:44:18,043 ln some ways, it's comical. 711 00:44:18,087 --> 00:44:19,520 But it's also really serious. 712 00:44:19,567 --> 00:44:21,558 People were expecting to be invaded. 713 00:44:21,607 --> 00:44:25,919 They were expecting that this sort ot work put their lives in serious danger. 714 00:44:26,287 --> 00:44:29,563 lt you'd been caught with a radio when the Germans came, 715 00:44:29,607 --> 00:44:32,758 you were looking not just at execution but probably torture too. 716 00:44:41,167 --> 00:44:44,796 lntormant contirms successtul patrol manoeuvre. 717 00:44:45,007 --> 00:44:47,475 Four men, evidence ot explosives. 718 00:44:47,527 --> 00:44:49,483 Northwest ot Arbo Wood. 719 00:44:49,527 --> 00:44:51,518 Approximate time, 001 5. 720 00:44:51,727 --> 00:44:53,763 Location, Hamble. G. 721 00:44:55,687 --> 00:44:58,804 Despite their important top-secret miIitary duties, 722 00:44:58,847 --> 00:45:03,045 the priority for farmers was doubIing crop production to feed the nation. 723 00:45:06,607 --> 00:45:10,202 AIthough the team were unabIe to moIe-drain the boggy fieId, 724 00:45:10,247 --> 00:45:12,920 the task now is to pIough as quickIy as possibIe 725 00:45:12,967 --> 00:45:15,037 in preparation for sowing the wheat. 726 00:45:18,207 --> 00:45:20,118 With the days drawing shorter, 727 00:45:20,167 --> 00:45:24,843 the War AgricuIturaI Committee encouraged farmers to pIough on into the night. 728 00:45:31,527 --> 00:45:36,920 We've got to plough through the night. This was something that was expected during the war. 729 00:45:36,967 --> 00:45:39,879 Not something l think people did willingly, really, 730 00:45:40,167 --> 00:45:43,716 but untortunately we've just got to do this because we're so behind. 731 00:45:44,727 --> 00:45:47,241 PIoughing at night creates unique probIems. 732 00:45:48,327 --> 00:45:50,238 Right, so this is our lantern. 733 00:45:50,527 --> 00:45:52,279 And it's just in the hedge. 734 00:45:52,327 --> 00:45:56,206 And it's going to give something tor Ruth to tix on on the horizon. 735 00:45:56,247 --> 00:45:58,966 So that she can drive theoretically in a straight line. 736 00:46:01,167 --> 00:46:04,443 l'm a bit worried, though, about using these lights with the blackout. 737 00:46:04,487 --> 00:46:09,402 l reckon the lamps in the hedge probably could be hidden trom the air, anyway. 738 00:46:09,447 --> 00:46:11,403 And this one's already got a hood on it. 739 00:46:11,447 --> 00:46:13,438 And this lamp will be moving. 740 00:46:13,527 --> 00:46:16,724 - So l just aim at the light in the hedge? - Yep, that's the idea. 741 00:46:39,807 --> 00:46:44,437 When you think about ploughing, you invariably think ot the horseman out there with his horses 742 00:46:44,487 --> 00:46:46,637 gently ploughing away in the quiet, 743 00:46:46,687 --> 00:46:48,882 perhaps on a nice sunny spring morning. 744 00:46:49,167 --> 00:46:52,842 But during the Second World War ploughing was a very different monster. 745 00:46:53,287 --> 00:46:56,040 And the plough, really, had become a weapon ot war. 746 00:46:56,087 --> 00:46:58,555 lt was the tarmers' principal weapon ot war. 747 00:47:01,407 --> 00:47:04,319 Now, l'm not entirely sure we're getting this right. 748 00:47:04,447 --> 00:47:05,960 But we're putting our all into it. 749 00:47:06,007 --> 00:47:07,759 And Ruth's doing a tantastic job. 750 00:47:07,807 --> 00:47:11,117 Hopetully by the end ot the month we'll have the tield done. 751 00:47:23,367 --> 00:47:27,997 Next morning, Ruth is caIIed into action by the SpeciaI Duties Section. 752 00:47:28,967 --> 00:47:32,084 Her mission, to pass a message on to the AuxiIiary Unit. 753 00:47:35,527 --> 00:47:39,236 Hampshire, with its strategic ports of Southampton and Portsmouth, 754 00:47:39,287 --> 00:47:41,039 was a key target for invasion. 755 00:47:42,127 --> 00:47:46,200 So more AuxiIiary Units were stationed here than any county in Britain. 756 00:47:47,167 --> 00:47:51,319 MiIitary expert GeraId SutcIiffe is Ieading AIex and Peter's patroI. 757 00:47:51,847 --> 00:47:56,159 What we're going to now is an OB, an Operational Base. 758 00:47:56,607 --> 00:47:58,802 So we've got basically a little bunker. 759 00:47:59,367 --> 00:48:02,564 We've already got some equipment, munitions and rations in. 760 00:48:02,607 --> 00:48:04,916 Let's go and have a look at it now, shall we? 761 00:48:13,647 --> 00:48:16,161 All over the country, around the coast in particular, 762 00:48:16,207 --> 00:48:18,198 are groups like us. 763 00:48:18,247 --> 00:48:21,637 We're going to be providing a nasty surprise to Herr Hitler. 764 00:48:22,367 --> 00:48:23,846 Unlike the other countries 765 00:48:23,887 --> 00:48:29,883 which have had the untortunate experience ot his jackboots going over them, we're ready. 766 00:48:29,927 --> 00:48:32,157 We're going to come up behind him 767 00:48:32,207 --> 00:48:34,084 and going to blow up his petrol dumps. 768 00:48:34,127 --> 00:48:36,118 We're going to blow up his ammunition dumps. 769 00:48:36,167 --> 00:48:38,123 We're going to sabotage his tanks. 770 00:48:38,167 --> 00:48:40,044 We're going to shoot his officers. 771 00:48:40,087 --> 00:48:41,964 Anybody that helps him. 772 00:48:43,487 --> 00:48:47,605 The aim was to transform ordinary farmers with no miIitary experience 773 00:48:47,647 --> 00:48:49,558 into guerriIIa saboteurs. 774 00:48:51,687 --> 00:48:55,282 AIex has picked up the message dropped by the SpeciaI Duties Section 775 00:48:55,647 --> 00:48:57,717 with detaiIs of a training exercise. 776 00:48:58,327 --> 00:49:05,802 We've been left a note advising us that a German patrol ot 1 0 men is expected. 777 00:49:05,847 --> 00:49:07,724 At the moment my thoughts are, 778 00:49:09,407 --> 00:49:11,477 we'll ambush their patrol. 779 00:49:12,007 --> 00:49:16,637 This is a typicaI exercise passed on by the mysterious Agent R. 780 00:49:17,807 --> 00:49:19,877 Agent R... l wonder who that could be. 781 00:49:20,167 --> 00:49:21,646 That's the point. 782 00:49:21,687 --> 00:49:23,518 You will never know. 783 00:49:23,567 --> 00:49:25,558 And neither will l. 784 00:49:25,607 --> 00:49:29,566 You'll never know the members ot the intelligence section and they don't know you. 785 00:49:29,607 --> 00:49:31,802 They just leave little messages tor us. 786 00:49:32,487 --> 00:49:35,285 And we pick them up and we never see them or they us. 787 00:49:39,807 --> 00:49:43,482 Training by night, then working in the fieId by day, 788 00:49:43,527 --> 00:49:47,645 meant a wartime farmer couId find himseIf working 1 7-hour days. 789 00:49:51,167 --> 00:49:54,682 l want two members ot the team to go up on the ridgeline 790 00:49:54,727 --> 00:49:58,640 while l go down and l arrange... rig a couple ot surprises. 791 00:49:58,687 --> 00:50:01,247 Right? And one ot you can cover me while that's going on. 792 00:50:04,647 --> 00:50:07,161 Why do l have to go in tront all the time, Peter? 793 00:50:07,967 --> 00:50:10,481 AIex and Peter keep watch from the ridgeIine. 794 00:50:12,567 --> 00:50:15,684 FoIIowing instructions set out in the AuxiIiary Unit manuaI, 795 00:50:15,727 --> 00:50:17,718 GeraId sets a booby trap. 796 00:50:18,007 --> 00:50:24,037 What l'm going to rig up is a grenade with a pin removed 797 00:50:24,087 --> 00:50:26,396 but sufficient pressure on top ot it, 798 00:50:26,447 --> 00:50:28,438 so that when somebody kicks it 799 00:50:28,927 --> 00:50:32,237 it's going to release the lever... 800 00:50:34,047 --> 00:50:35,560 ..and go bang. 801 00:50:35,607 --> 00:50:37,598 OK. 802 00:50:38,207 --> 00:50:39,401 And rejoin the others. 803 00:50:39,447 --> 00:50:42,439 This being an exercise, there are no Germans. 804 00:50:42,567 --> 00:50:45,161 And Jerry's grenade is simpIy a thunderfIash. 805 00:50:47,447 --> 00:50:49,438 Bang, bang, bang. 806 00:50:52,367 --> 00:50:54,358 Stop! 807 00:50:54,687 --> 00:50:56,598 Well, good tor a tirst attempt. 808 00:50:56,647 --> 00:50:58,319 - You think so? - l think so. 809 00:50:58,367 --> 00:51:01,882 They would have used all sorts ot methods to simulate combat. 810 00:51:02,207 --> 00:51:04,004 - OK. - l did it that way 811 00:51:04,047 --> 00:51:05,639 because you weren't expecting it 812 00:51:05,687 --> 00:51:09,236 - to add that bit ot tension and realism. - Yeah. 813 00:51:09,287 --> 00:51:13,883 So you were both conditioning us and testing us at the same time. 814 00:51:13,967 --> 00:51:14,843 Yes. 815 00:51:23,447 --> 00:51:27,963 AIex, Ruth and Peter have now been wartime farmers for two months. 816 00:51:33,487 --> 00:51:37,765 For Ruth, the work in the fieIds has Ieft IittIe time for domestic duties. 817 00:51:38,447 --> 00:51:41,803 So she's taken another step towards modernising the kitchen, 818 00:51:41,847 --> 00:51:43,200 by fitting Iino. 819 00:51:43,967 --> 00:51:45,958 Fantastic! 820 00:51:47,887 --> 00:51:51,118 You often hear about labour-saving things in the kitchen, 821 00:51:51,167 --> 00:51:53,761 and you sort ot imagine it's all about gadgets. 822 00:51:53,807 --> 00:51:54,557 Nah. 823 00:51:55,167 --> 00:51:56,680 lt's about things like this. 824 00:51:56,727 --> 00:51:58,797 The things that make the big difference. 825 00:51:59,407 --> 00:52:05,403 lnstead ot spending, you know, 45 minutes twice a day on the tloor, 826 00:52:06,207 --> 00:52:08,721 like you might have to with a stone tlag tloor, 827 00:52:09,687 --> 00:52:14,124 l can run over with a mop and bucket in 1 0 minutes. 828 00:52:20,127 --> 00:52:22,800 The paraffin stove is aIso heIping to save time. 829 00:52:23,247 --> 00:52:27,126 UnIike an oId-fashioned coaI range, it's up and running in seconds. 830 00:52:28,207 --> 00:52:30,084 Ruth's using it to cook a quick meaI 831 00:52:30,127 --> 00:52:32,482 from her 1 930s cookbook. 832 00:52:32,527 --> 00:52:35,041 Fried bacon with bananas. 833 00:52:35,247 --> 00:52:38,922 lt's such an odd recipe to tind in a late '30s book. 834 00:52:38,967 --> 00:52:40,958 lt took me so by surprise. 835 00:52:41,607 --> 00:52:44,804 Bacon's going to become a thing ot scarcity. 836 00:52:45,407 --> 00:52:48,444 By 1 939 we were already bringing in 837 00:52:48,487 --> 00:52:51,797 quite a signiticant proportion ot our bacon trom Denmark. 838 00:52:55,127 --> 00:52:57,197 And then the bananas go in the butter. 839 00:52:58,207 --> 00:53:01,756 Bananas wouId soon disappear compIeteIy from the shops 840 00:53:01,807 --> 00:53:07,086 as the Government requisitioned banana boats to import materiaIs essentiaI to the war effort. 841 00:53:09,047 --> 00:53:12,562 From the decIaration of war in September 1 939 842 00:53:12,607 --> 00:53:14,916 untiI May 1 940, 843 00:53:14,967 --> 00:53:16,958 no bombers appeared overhead 844 00:53:17,007 --> 00:53:19,282 and the gas attacks didn't materiaIise. 845 00:53:19,847 --> 00:53:22,725 It became known as the Phony War. 846 00:53:24,287 --> 00:53:29,236 But by June 1 940, after the British had been driven into the sea at Dunkirk, 847 00:53:29,767 --> 00:53:31,758 the mood was darkening. 848 00:53:33,607 --> 00:53:35,723 France feII to the Nazis. 849 00:53:36,047 --> 00:53:39,483 And as the new Prime Minister Winston ChurchiII warned, 850 00:53:39,527 --> 00:53:41,085 Britain was next in Iine. 851 00:53:41,127 --> 00:53:44,676 WlRELESS: ..confidence and growing strength in the air. 852 00:53:44,727 --> 00:53:46,957 We shaII defend our isIand 853 00:53:47,007 --> 00:53:48,884 whatever the cost may be,' 854 00:53:48,927 --> 00:53:51,395 we shaII fight on the beaches, 855 00:53:51,447 --> 00:53:53,961 we shaII fight on the Ianding grounds, 856 00:53:54,007 --> 00:53:55,599 we shaII fight in the fieIds, 857 00:53:56,047 --> 00:53:57,719 and in the streets. 858 00:53:57,767 --> 00:53:59,758 We shaII fight in the hiIIs. 859 00:54:00,087 --> 00:54:01,964 We shaII never surrender... 860 00:54:03,527 --> 00:54:06,997 l think it's interesting, isn't it? That speech is so iconic. 861 00:54:07,887 --> 00:54:11,197 lt must have been territying tor people to think, you know, 862 00:54:11,407 --> 00:54:15,446 there could possibly have been tighting on the beaches and in the tields. 863 00:54:15,487 --> 00:54:19,685 And somewhere like Hampshire, where we are, l gather would be sort ot on the tront line. 864 00:54:19,727 --> 00:54:22,525 Well, it is the whole problem ot looking back at the war. 865 00:54:22,567 --> 00:54:24,558 We know that we won. 866 00:54:25,087 --> 00:54:27,840 People at the time did not know that. 867 00:54:28,927 --> 00:54:30,883 So l suppose the tarmers at the time, 868 00:54:30,927 --> 00:54:35,603 they'd have really been, hopetully, buoyed up to get a success in that harvest. 869 00:54:37,087 --> 00:54:40,079 lt would have loaded a lot ot pressure on their shoulders. 870 00:54:40,127 --> 00:54:42,243 You know, it would have really hammered home 871 00:54:42,287 --> 00:54:46,439 just how important it would have been to have brought that crop in 872 00:54:46,487 --> 00:54:48,717 and to have brought a brilliant crop in as well. 873 00:54:48,767 --> 00:54:51,156 And that's all about the connectedness, isn't it? 874 00:54:51,207 --> 00:54:54,199 Everybody's hearing that all together. 875 00:54:54,247 --> 00:54:57,045 You teel like you've absolutely got to do it right. 876 00:54:57,527 --> 00:55:01,122 To do justice to the effort that was put in trom '39. 877 00:55:01,167 --> 00:55:04,079 l certainly teel that. l really teel a big responsibility 878 00:55:04,127 --> 00:55:07,563 to those people who went through this. And who are still alive, you know. 879 00:55:07,607 --> 00:55:10,963 - lt's not something to be taken lightly, is it? - No. 880 00:55:11,007 --> 00:55:13,521 We're messing with memories as well as history. 881 00:55:13,567 --> 00:55:15,046 Well, indeed. lndeed. 882 00:55:15,087 --> 00:55:17,078 (Knock at door) 883 00:55:17,567 --> 00:55:19,956 - Hello. - You'd better put that curtain up, you know. 884 00:55:20,007 --> 00:55:21,201 Be all right. 885 00:55:21,247 --> 00:55:22,839 - Hello, Steve. - Good evening. 886 00:55:22,887 --> 00:55:24,843 - Hello. - Hello, Ruth. 887 00:55:24,887 --> 00:55:26,923 - A pleasant surprise. - Come and join us. 888 00:55:26,967 --> 00:55:28,878 How are you? Good to see you. 889 00:55:28,927 --> 00:55:30,679 You're in luck. Have a cake. 890 00:55:30,727 --> 00:55:32,365 - Good griet. - Have an eclair. 891 00:55:32,407 --> 00:55:36,844 l'm on my rounds. l have to say, what a marvellous job you've done with your windows. 892 00:55:36,887 --> 00:55:38,878 - Absolutely. - l told you. 893 00:55:39,247 --> 00:55:41,124 - But... - Oh. 894 00:55:41,167 --> 00:55:44,682 You're going to be in tor a tine because you're showing a light under your door. 895 00:55:44,727 --> 00:55:47,082 - Really? - You haven't put the curtain up. 896 00:55:47,127 --> 00:55:49,357 So what are the consequences? 897 00:55:49,407 --> 00:55:51,796 The County Court will summons you. 898 00:55:51,847 --> 00:55:55,362 Anything trom three shillings to seven and six, l would think. 899 00:55:55,407 --> 00:55:59,036 Ot course, the other thing to mention is the excessive lights you're burning. 900 00:55:59,087 --> 00:56:01,237 For a small room you've got three lights. 901 00:56:01,287 --> 00:56:02,766 So that will incur another tine. 902 00:56:02,807 --> 00:56:04,638 - Oh, good griet. - Good Lord. 903 00:56:04,687 --> 00:56:07,804 l was just enjoying having electricity. 904 00:56:08,567 --> 00:56:12,958 lt's that classic thing, where you're not physically doing the thing like tilling your oil lamp. 905 00:56:13,007 --> 00:56:16,841 With electricity, you don't think about the power source and how much you're using. 906 00:56:16,887 --> 00:56:20,562 Well, l think we should enjoy these deserts while we can 907 00:56:20,607 --> 00:56:24,725 because l think trom now on in things are only going to get tougher, aren't they? 908 00:56:24,767 --> 00:56:26,758 - much like this guy. - (Laughter) 909 00:56:26,887 --> 00:56:29,401 Do you want to put that light out? l'll put this one out. 910 00:56:29,447 --> 00:56:31,119 And the radio. 911 00:56:31,167 --> 00:56:33,158 Let's get this curtain up, then. 912 00:56:39,407 --> 00:56:41,398 Keep it running, Ruth! 913 00:56:53,847 --> 00:56:55,724 The team's back on track 914 00:56:55,767 --> 00:56:58,964 with the task of increasing the farm's food production. 915 00:56:59,687 --> 00:57:01,484 The wheat fieId is pIoughed. 916 00:57:02,247 --> 00:57:04,556 Next, it's harrowed to break up the earth. 917 00:57:07,727 --> 00:57:09,718 Then sowed with the wheat seed. 918 00:57:10,887 --> 00:57:15,199 If aII goes weII, in nine months'time they shouId have a good crop to harvest. 919 00:57:15,887 --> 00:57:18,447 RUTH: We have cracked on. We really have cracked on. 920 00:57:18,487 --> 00:57:21,763 A million acres, was it, they ploughed up extra? ln '39. 921 00:57:21,807 --> 00:57:24,844 By the spring ot 1 940, one point seven million acres. 922 00:57:24,887 --> 00:57:26,605 - Extra. - Extra. 923 00:57:26,647 --> 00:57:28,956 On top ot what they were already doing. 924 00:57:29,007 --> 00:57:31,396 And a lot ot tarmers said it couldn't be done. 925 00:57:31,447 --> 00:57:34,007 They shook their heads and said, ''No, you can't do that.'' 926 00:57:34,047 --> 00:57:36,163 And then they turned around and did it. 927 00:57:38,967 --> 00:57:43,245 Wartime farmers didn't know it yet but this wasjust the start. 928 00:57:44,167 --> 00:57:46,635 They stiII had five years of war to endure. 929 00:57:47,127 --> 00:57:52,759 And conditions were onIy going to get tougher as they struggIed to feed the nation.