AIR RAID DEFENCE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 257, 28 July 1939, Page 9

AIR RAID DEFENCE

Half Of England To Be Blacked Out LONDON, July 26. An unusually large air raid precaution black-out has been arranged for August 10 from midilight to 4 a.m. over an area covering half of England, including London, the Midlands and the south-east. All householders have been asked to sit up to ensure that their windows are adequately screened and motorists have been requested to keep oft the roads. Royal Air Force planes will ily over the darkened areas searching for the glimmer of lights. Strict war-time conditions will prevail and the antiaircraft stations will be manned. A test of the balloon barrage is to commence on July 29. and will be continued for two months. Five hundred balloons and 6000 men will be engaged. BERLIN REHEARSAL Period Of Four Days BERLIN, July 26. A full-dress air raid precaution practice which is to last four days, during which the city will remain on a war footing, was started this afternoon. In response to the screaming of sirens, thousands took refuge in shelters, with the exception of policemen and air-raid precaution officials, who wore gas masks. The city was deserted within eight minutes. Simultaneously warplanes roared overhead and anti-aircraft guns mounted on the rooftops opened tire. The city was darkened throughout the night ami patrolled by police and soldiers.