UK revives WW1 war manual with schools, rations and hospital plans | UK | News
The manual was first produced during the First World War and was among the earliest ‘government war books’ ever created.
It remained in circulation until the early 2000s, when it was discontinued due to financial constraints.
Now, amid rising global tensions, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton has confirmed the book will be republished to help the public prepare for potential conflict.
He stated that the guide would draw lessons from the Cold War, but “in a modern context, with a modern society, with modern infrastructure.”
The handbook outlined procedures that were frequently rehearsed under the direction of the Cabinet Office and were believed to strengthen national resilience.
A contemporary version of the guide would cover similar topics to the previous version, including how to close schools, ration food, evacuate hospitals and protect national treasures.
It will also include plans to mobilize both military personnel and civilians.
The proposal to reintroduce an updated edition of the handbook follows warnings from opposition politicians and experts that Britain is ill-equipped for conflict.
The defense chief said: “NATO describes the transition to conflict as having a military component, but it also has a civilian component.”
While Britain has enjoyed a long period of peace, Sir Richard Knighton noted that Britons must be alert to increasing threats to that stability. “This requires us to educate ourselves and help the public understand some of these threats and what they can do to support the nation and potentially the armed forces,” he added.
He said: “Before Christmas, I mentioned that when we think about renewing our water infrastructure, our electricity or our transport infrastructure, we need to think about not just a hybrid threat, but the threat of action by an enemy above the threshold of war.
“And think about how we build that resilience as we renew, and that requires making some different choices and different priorities, and that work that the Cabinet Office is doing across government is something I really welcome.”
