REALISTIC SCENES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 137, 22 March 1935, Page 5

REALISTIC SCENES

“AIR RAID” ON BERLIN FIFTY THOUSAND TAKE PART. RESCUE AND REPAIR SQUADS. BOMB CRATERS IN THE STREETS. ‘‘MAGNIFICENT DISCIPLINE.’ ’ (United Press Association—Copyright). (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) LONDON, March 21. Mr G. Waixl Price, writing in the “Daily Mail,” says that the rehearsal of an air raid on Berlin was the most elaborate ever carried out, 50,000 residents taking part in deadly earnest. Sirens blared simultaneously with the appearance of the air raiders, and traffic was stopped. Everyone rushed to the underground shelters, deserting trams and ’buses. Maroons were exploded, representing bombs of every kind. 1 The rescue services were engaged, and the police, fire brigades, ambulance, anti-poison gas squads, and water and gas main repair squads were active. ’ Housebreaking gangs rescued victims trapped in “ruins” of houses and schools. In the streets “bomb craters” appeared from which flames leaped, and water spurted from burst pipes. Asbestos-clad, masked squads rushed to extinguish gas fires, others working knee-deep in water repairing mains. Scores ofi “wounded” were carried in the streets, and “ghastly’ wounds on bare limbs increased the realism. Steel-helmet children raced to fire stations to report that their homes were ablaze. Foreign air attaches were specially impressed by the people’s magnificent discipline and the vast amount of antiair raid equipment available, contrasting with the smaller supplies in other capitals. Hollywood could not have excelled the dramatic perfection of the picture of an air raid which Kreuzberg presented. It is impossible to imagine a corresponding area iu London similarly isolated for 3J. hours.