HELL LET LOOSE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 109, 1 February 1941, Page 7

HELL LET LOOSE

London Anti-Aircraft Barrage SKY OF BURSTING SHELLS A London anti-aircraft barrage is described as hell let loose by Mr. IL Moorehouse, one-time Wellington Rugby player who represented Wellington against. Stoddart’s English team in 1888. in a letter to Mr. Marcus Marks, Wellington. Mr. Moorehouse has resided in England for the past 4(1 years. He writes: “Up to the present we are all standing up to all the bombing attacks: indeed we look for them as they only make us all the more determined to stick it out, knowing full well that though they are playing havoc with buildings and people, the enemy is not getting off scot free. As a matter of fact, our flying boys are giving them hell. When the chance comes for a fight the Huns invariably got the worst of it. Again, we have the consolation of knowing that as soon as we get the required number of planes, and with great help from our pals in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Newfoundland, the swine will begin to realize what it means to put Britishers to the test. With all in old England, I am certain that the Germans will be wiped out. I hope, however, that this time we shall not develop soft spots and let them off lightly as we did before. There must be no opening lefr for another blitz. There is not honour, truth, or human feeling left in the German. He must be destroyed this time for good. We cannot afford to pity those who cannot help it: they support the heads who encourage the Hitler-Goebbels gang to go the whole hog. no matter whether it is right or wrong. "You cannot imagine what a sight it is to see 400 German planes in the sky,” continues Mr. Moorehouse. “On their arrival over London up goes the most awful barrage, which fills the sky with bursting stars. As they get their medicine, down they come while those that live through it are only too anxious to return across the Channel. But that is not so easy as they think, as our fighters lay in wait for them, and more are brought down over the countryside or in the sea. Though it is an inspiring sight to see the barrage London puts up, it is really hell let loose. Everyone who can rushes for shelter in the dugouts and safety places. With bombs and shrapnel falling all round, the firemen and their helpers work on among the ruins and rescue all they can. Others calmly watch the fight as though it were just a show. This goes on all over the country. We have even had it here in Fleet Street, warnings day and night, with Jerry dropping the last of his load round us but not a direct hit so far. though the blast sometimes rattles our windows.”

More personal in character are Mr. Moorehouse’s inquiries after some of ■his old friends, among them the late Mr. Robert Sim (who died in Wellington on Tuesday), “Tab” Wynyard. Billy Oger, Angus Stewart, Sid Nicholls. “Slasher” Lee. Jack Astill, and others, most of whom hare died. A football contemporary of Mr. Moorehouse's. and the late Mr. Sim, is Mr. Harry Roberts, still a resident of Wellington.