Created in 1954 by Canada’s Department of National Health and Welfare, “The Homeless Ones” is a terribly grim cartoon that tells the story of an atomic attack on a city and the untold death and destruction it would leave in its wake. Directed primarily at civil defense welfare workers, the film illustrates how such a disaster could be alleviated by people organized, trained and prepared for such an eventuality. Drawn by Sidney Goldsmith, who created many non-fiction and educational cartoons for the National Film Board from the 1940s through the 1980s.

The film outlines the importance of preparedness in the face of potential air attacks using high explosive, atomic, or hydrogen bombs. It describes the devastating impact of an a-bomb on a city, with few survivors at the blast center and extensive damage up to two miles away. Civil defense forces play crucial roles in rescue operations and preventing panic. The film emphasizes organizing regions into target, mutual aid, and reception areas, with critical areas and welfare centers identified in advance. Assembly areas help gather and support homeless people, while various sections provide medical aid, food, clothing, and shelter. The importance of community involvement, training, and proper organization is highlighted to ensure effective civil defense and support for the homeless. It ends with a call to action for preparedness.

00:00: Introduction, exploring grim possibilities of the future.

1:49: No community is immune to air attacks in modern warfare, with potential use of high explosive, atomic, or hydrogen bombs.

2:14: An atomic bomb falling on a modern city would cause great destruction up to nearly two miles from the blast center.

3:10: At the blast center, there would be few survivors, with ruin and desolation.

4:00: Civil defense forces would work in the region of heavy damage around the blast center.

4:31: Civil defense welfare service workers would help those who are confused and panic-stricken.

5:06: Their work is to prevent panic and restore order.

5:25: Organizing a region for civil defense, including target, mutual aid, and reception areas.

6:16: The city is divided into critical areas for civil defense organization.

6:31: Each subdivision should have prospective civil defense welfare centers.

7:00: Assembly areas serve as connecting links between welfare centers and the region of destruction.

7:36: Organization must extend to the neighborhood level, with trained welfare aides.

8:11: Welfare assembly areas are established by local people or teams from welfare centers.

8:24: Assembly areas prevent panic by gathering homeless people together.

9:04: The flow of homeless people will be toward assembly areas and then to welfare centers.

9:21: The task of civil defense welfare services is to prevent a breakdown of civilian morale.

9:54: Medical aid section provides first aid and temporary care.

10:12: Emergency feeding section provides food and drink for the homeless.

10:30: Immediate function is to have plenty of hot drinks ready quickly.

11:02: Emergency clothing section meets demands for clothing, especially in winter.

11:21: Registration and inquiry section helps bring families together.

11:46: Mass lodging is a major problem, with emergency shelter provision needed.

12:31: The center must have a big crew of workers for various tasks.

12:46: Key people should be registered in advance for handling food, clothing, and communications.

13:19: Housing surveys and reports help find lodgings for the homeless.

13:29: Rehabilitation is crucial for getting essential workers back to their jobs.

13:49: Transport section brings people and supplies to and from the center.

14:02: Welfare centers in support areas are vital, especially in the event of an H-bomb attack.

14:22: Proper organization helps handle the plight of the homeless in an orderly way.

15:08: Welfare centers in support areas have a two-way job of receiving the homeless and sending aid.

15:49: Centers face prolonged operation, needing trained people for various tasks.

16:35: Civil defense welfare services need volunteers from the community.

16:51: A city of fifty thousand would need about 3,500 civil defense workers.

17:25: The importance of being organized, trained, and prepared for disaster.

18:02: Conclusion with a call to action for civil defense preparedness.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com