We delved into the Echo archives to find 17 images of Wearside going on with daily life despite the ever-present threat of German bombs.
They cleaned up after air raids, built air raid shelters, learned how to use gas masks, went about their daily lives and smiled through adversity.
Take a look at 17 reminders of Sunderland and County Durham in 1940.
9. Keeping the air raid shelter in top condition
A workman does some sweeping up to keep this air raid shelter spotless. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: SE
10. On duty in the telephone centre
The Sunderland Air Raid Precaution (ARP) centre where the telephonists are handling lots of calls in January 1940 - with a smile. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: SE
11. War? What war?
The over-65 members of the Burn Park Recreation Hut spent each day enjoying their game of dominoes. Here they are in September 1940. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Sunderland Echo
12. Volunteering for service
These men were all members of the Volunteer Defence Corps and they were practising for parachute service in this 1940 photo. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: SE