World War II Timeline
1935 |
British Museums and Galleries are instructed by the government to make plans for the evacuation of their collections in the event of war |
1938 |
12th March – Germany announces union with Austria |
1939 |
Spring – Gallery carpenters begin work installing shelving at Mentmore |
1940 |
8th January – Rationing starts in the UK |
1941 |
November – Two bombs fall on the Gallery, one destroying a staircase, the other falling into the courtyard near Hake's bedroom. No one is hurt. |
1942 |
March– Small part of the Gallery is re-opened to the public with an exhibition of handicrafts by members of the armed forces called 'London District Command Forces' |
1943 |
January – 'A small part of the Gallery's usual space is re-opened for an exhibition of recent acquisitions' – these have to be removed from the walls and stored in the dug-out each night |
1945 |
8th May – Victory in Europe (VE) day |