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An authentic recording of an air-raid siren sounding the warning

Air-raid siren sounds the warning.

Air-raid sirens first sounded the warning in London in September 1939. They became an almost daily part of life in the capital a year later during the height of the Blitz.

When people heard the siren they would stop what they were doing and make for a shelter. These might be Anderson shelters constructed from corrugated iron which were built in gardens, or Morrison shelters which were constructed indoors.

In London many people crowded into tube stations and spent the raid underground. Often daily life would continue within the larger shelters - for example, children continuing their lessons inside their school shelter.

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