What is a blackout during war? These rules apply to everything from black colour on vehicle lights to house lights

India.com

06-05-2025

What is a blackout during war? These rules apply to everything from black colour on vehicle lights to house lights
Blackout is a wartime strategy in which artificial light is minimised to make it difficult for enemy aircraft or submarines to find targets. This practice was mainly prevalent in the 20th century during World War II (1939-1945). Blackout rules regulated the lighting of homes, factories, shops and vehicles, including covering windows, turning off street lights, and painting or masking vehicle headlights.
Purpose of blackouts
The main purpose of the blackout was to make enemy air raids difficult. The lights of cities at night make it easier for enemy pilots to find targets. For example, during the London Blitz of 1940, the German Luftwaffe bombed British cities at night. Dimming the lights complicated navigation and targeting. In coastal areas, the blackout helped protect ships from enemy submarines, which would attack by seeing the ships' silhouettes against the shore lights.
Blackout rules
For homes and buildings
Covering windows and doors: Blackout rules were implemented in Britain before the declaration of war on September 1, 1939. All windows and doors were required to be covered with heavy curtains, cardboard or black paint at night to prevent any light from leaking out. The government ensured the availability of these materials.
Street lights: All street lights were turned off or partially painted black so that the light would shine downwards. In London, on 1 October 1914, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner ordered all outdoor lights to be turned off or dimmed.
Masks on headlights
Only one headlight was allowed, which had to be covered with a mask with three horizontal slits. This limited the light so that only a little light fell on the ground.
Rear and side lights: The rear lamp could only have a one-inch diameter hole, visible from 30 yards but not from 300 yards. Side lamps had to be dimmed and the top of the headlight had to be painted black.
White Paint: White matte paint was applied to the bumpers and running boards of vehicles to increase visibility from the ground but was not visible from above.
Speed ​​Limit: Due to the dangers of driving at night, a speed limit of 32 km per hour has been imposed. Vehicles were to have no interior lights, reversing lamps were prohibited. It was mandatory to remove the keys from the ignition and lock the doors when parking.Implementation and monitoring of blackouts
Civilian Air Raid Precautions (ARP) wardens were deployed to ensure that blackout rules were followed. These wardens patrolled at night and took action against any building or vehicle with visible light. Violators faced heavy fines or a court appearance. In Britain, a woman was fined £2 for breaking blackout rules and wasting fuel.