Salute the Soldier Week facts for kids
Salute the Soldier Weeks were special events in the UK during World War II. Their main goal was to help the British Army get the equipment they needed. People in towns and cities would raise money to "sponsor" army gear. This was like a big fundraiser for soldiers.
Other parts of the military had similar campaigns. The Royal Air Force (RAF) had "Wings for Victory Week" to raise money for planes. The Royal Navy had "Warship Week" to help build ships. These campaigns helped the country support its armed forces during the war.
Raising Money for Soldiers
During these special weeks, each county in the UK was given a target for how much money they should try to raise. If local leaders and communities did a great job and met their goals, they were given special plaques. These plaques were like awards, showing how much effort everyone put in.
Early War Fundraising Efforts
The government started these kinds of campaigns early in the war. In September 1940, they launched "War Weapons Weeks." This was a big push to replace all the military equipment lost during the Battle of Dunkirk. That first campaign raised a huge amount of money: over £456 million! This was a lot of money back then.
Later, in October 1941, "Warship Week" began, focusing on the navy. In the summer of 1942, there was a smaller campaign called "Tanks for Attack." This one was specifically for the British Army to get more tanks. The money raised from "Tanks for Attack" wasn't recorded separately, but it still helped. Then, in March 1943, it was the RAF's turn with "Wings for Victory Week."
The Salute the Soldier Campaign
Building on the success of these earlier events, a major military display was held in Trafalgar Square in London in March 1944. This event was part of the new "Salute the Soldier" campaign. Its purpose was to raise money for important things like field hospitals and other vital equipment for the soldiers.
The "Salute the Soldier Weeks" were very successful. They managed to raise an incredible £628 million! This shows how much people wanted to support the soldiers fighting for their country during World War II. These campaigns were a big part of how ordinary people helped the war effort from home.
