LONDON'S LOSS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 69, 2 January 1941, Page 5

LONDON'S LOSS

SOME HISTORIC BUILDINGS.

IN dangerous condition.

dynamiting may be necessary

(United Press Association—Copyright ) (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, January 1\

It is believed it will be necessary Ho dynamite many buildings in the City of London which are in a dangerous condition, including some historic ones. Trinity House, the Tower Hill home of Trinity Brethren, who for four centuries have been responsible for the safety of shipping in home waters, was destroyed in the fire-bombing on Sunday. The buildings wore erected in 1798.

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRE.

“FIRE-BOMB FIGHTERS.” LONDON, December 30. London has emerged from the ordeal of the Luftwaffe’s attempt to destroy the heart of the city by fire with a heightened spirit and determinatioii to take advantage of: its experience to put into effect measures to minimise the dangerous results of any 'future onslaught. One of the lessons learned is the need for fire-watching, patrols on the roof of every commercial building, large or small. The London outrage makes it abundantly clear that however many hordes of German bombers rain incendiary, and • high-explosive bombs on the city, the spirit of the historic “square mile will never be broken. “The Times says: “Bravery was common on this astounding night. It would seem that the German mind, drilled in brutality for many; years past, can feel some sense of shame at this unholy vandalism; for in the latest account given of the raid by the German radio all reference to the historic buildings and churches destroyed was eliminated.” In a broadcast appeal to householders and small shopkeepers to form themselves into parties of neighbours to take turns in the dangerous. work of watching for the fall of fire-bombs and dealing with them, the Minister for Homo Security (Mr Herbert Morrison) expressed confidence that this urgent need would at once he met. He began his address by saying: “I am here to call upon you, some millions of you, for urgent duty.” His concluding words were: “Now then—the latest answer to the latest attack: fall iii the fire-bomb fighters.” Standing amid the ruins of “the City,” Mr Churchill snapped a grim rebuke to a woman who shouted, “What about peace?” “Peace? When we have beaten them.”

Mr Churchill walked through scenes of devastation left by what was a deliberate attempt to burn London, regardless of military objectives. “They gave us something last night didn’t they, Winnie?” a man called. “And we will give them something back,” Mr Churchill retorted.

The great crowd followed Mr and Mrs Churchill as they walked past debris where a few hours earlier had stood some of the.hallowed shrines of the world. People cheered and waved their hats. “We won’t crack up, sir, we won’t crack up,” a flustered little man cried. “No, sir, we won’t crack up,” said Mr (Churchill.

There was a time during the raid when it seemed that one area of London was ringed with fire. Great whitehot flames lapped greedily round the buildings', although hundreds of men worked desperately to stem the advancing tide of the fire. The fiercest fires occurred in old buildings used as offices. Modem buildings withstood the attack.

The escape of St. /Paul’s Cathedral was amazing. Buildings within a stone’s throw still blazed and crackled as daylight appeared. St. Paul’s itself was surrounded with a seemingly inextricable mass of coiling hosepipes. Fire engines and trailer mimps were dotted about Ludgate Hill, while St. Paul’s churchyard was aglow with the fierce burning of several devastated buildings.

Cheapside, nearby, was a nightmare scene. Building after building had been reduced to a scarred, blackened shell. People crowded into St. Paul’s today, offering a prayer and thanksgiving for its preservation, which was one of the most heroic feats of the professional and volunteer fire-fighters. Other buildings damaged include the Old Bailey Criminal Court, the Girdlers’ Company Hall, the School of Music, and the Carlton Club in St. Swithin’s Lane.

Mr Churchill saw' the ruins of the Guildhall. The richly decorated council chamber was burned out, the roof blasted open, and the painted' ceilings destroyed. Fortunately its, treasures had previously been removed. The four walls of the banqueting hall of the Guildhall stand bare to the skies. The stone floor on which kings have walked is buried uiider debris. The figures of Gog and Magog were burnt and famous tattered regimental flags destroyed. There were amazing scenes this morning at the junction of London Wall, where crowds of typists and city workers appealed for directions from policemen who - advised alternative routes to business. Fore 'Street, adjoining London Wall, was closed because it was filled with a mass of masonry. The streets round were littered with glass debris. Some buildings' were dynamited to prevent the fires from spreading. The Lord Mayor of London spent the night watching the fire fighters. He praised their valiant hut vain endeavours to quell the blaze. 8001-watchers in London proved their worth as nevey before. Buildings in districts which had spotters and their own A.K.P. personnel were soon freed of incendiaries without damage. Spotters also did valuable work directing firemen to fire-bopihs' on roofs hidden from the streets. Regular and auxiliary firemen braved intense heat and falling walls. •Many had miraculous escapes; others died at their work. Some were killed or injured when buildings collapsed.