CROWDED SHELTERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 290, 14 September 1940, Page 5

CROWDED SHELTERS.

RELUCTANCE TO LEAVE LONDON

LONDON, September 12. Tim “Daily Telegraph” says that in spite of nearly a week of intensive bombing, London’s working-class mothers are still reluctant to co-oper-ate in the Government’s evacuation scheme. An official declared: “We expected that a very large jump in registrations would follow the mass aii raids, but we are frankly disappointed.” It is true that registrations have risen from a few hundred a week to 1000 a day, but the figure is far less than wo anticipated, because . the scheme was ready for the evacuation of a quarter of a million within a few days. . . Serious problems are arising irom the use of public air raid shelters in the outlying districts of London as nightly dormitories, by people living in the severely bombed eastern areas. Thousands from the East, End and also the inner eastern suburbs flock every evening into London’s “green belt, taking blankets,. mattresses, and food. They fill the shelters when the sirens sound. They sleep as best they can and then go home in the morning. Many of these shelters arc intended primarily for pedestrians who are caught in the streets and not for all night use. Similar problems have arisen in the West End. Members of A.R.P. squads say that .persons tour round the shelters in the daytime and select the most comfortable.

LONDON'S NEW BARRAGE.

“THE HEAVIEST YET PUT UP.” REASSURING EFFECT ON PEOPLE LONDON, September 12. The new anti-aircraft--barrage- used on ‘Wednesday night in the defence of London, which is described by the press .as “the heaviest ever put up in the defence of any city,” had .a reassuring effioet on Londoners. Though they are standing the strain of the ferocious German- dir attack'with ixdmirablie calm, they were delighted to realise from the. new noises overhead that the German airmen, were receiving an unusually warm welcome.

When it ( was gathered what the. new aerial inferno meant,''the,,comment was heard (everywhere to-day that no music could be more pleasant to ears attuned to the “crump” of bombs and the drone of enemy bombers. Though the barrage made only fitful sleep possible, this is regarded as a matter for rejoicing rather than complaint. The official statement that this new barrage method, which is based on new methods of prediction, is likely to he continued and may even get better, is greeted with great satisfaction. The “Daily Mail” says that the London anti-aircraft batteries are using guns of at least six different calibres up to 4.5 inch, which is the most deadly of all anti-aircraft guns. Secret new types of shells are hurled up 22,000 feet, explosions rocking the sky ovei a wide area.

The heavier guns put up a box type barrage, which is sent up in squares from many sections, while the light guns terrifically barrage raiders which attempt dive-bombing. Of these gun.-, the Bofors is the deadliest. Uncanny electric predictors enable the gunners to harass the raiders.

Britain’s anti-aircraft defences have not Weakened in any district to provide London!s barrage, which can he increased if necessary.

On Wednesday night the new barrage made German machines fly far higher, thus reducing the accuracy of their bombing. Some bombs were dropped, however, and they struck hospital, some houses, and small factories. Two raiders were shot down by the anti-aircraft five. The effect of the terrific barrage put up by the guns was described by the Official German News Agency, which tells how shells hurst beside the aeroplanes, and in one case the engine of a machine dropped out when it Avas struck by a burst of shrapnel.

Seven raiders at one time on -Wednesday night Avere ringed by exploding shells. The noise shook London, hut it Avas almost a cheerful noise of a great city fighting back., Millions •of tired blit greatly cheered Londoners listened for hours to the most amazing anti-aircraft barrage. Sleep became impossible ill all but deep shelters. Shrapnel incessantly rained on streets and buildings almost throughout London. Nobody now doubts that the Germans met more than they bargained for on their fifth night of murdering. Never before in history such a fall of steel been flung up.—British Official' Wireless.