STRONG NERVES

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 125, 20 February 1941, Page 7

STRONG NERVES

How British Civilians Withstand Raids TOTAL CASUALTIES Explosive Fire-Bombs Encountered (British Official Wireless and Press Assn.) LONDON. February 18. A distinguished nerve specialist who is now advising the Ministiy of Health declares that Hitler’s attempt to turn the population of Britain into nervous wrecks by indiscriminate bombing has proved a fiasco. Only 25 cases of neurosis have been admitted to the special centres established in London in December, and three elsewhere. There was not a single case after the Coventry raid. In llie five months since Germany launched the aerial "blitz” against Britain. 23,171 people have been killed in raids and 30,207 injured. Last month. 1502 were killed and 2012 went to hospital. The figures in elude 720 men. 507 women, and ISO children killed, and 1172 men, 082 women, and 158 children sent to hospital. The remaining 20 killed are not classified. Tlie efficiency of the methods adopted for dealing with incendiary bombs dropped by enemy aircraft has been strikingly demonstrated during the reeent raids, and a widespread publicity campaign through the Press, films, wireless and posters is being begun immediately to instruct tlie public on the .subject of fire prevention. Throughout the country partially-filled sand bags are in readiness outside almost every house and in public places for use by lire-iigbters in smothering bombs in the early stage. Xo fewer than 1.000,000 stirrup pumps, which experts consider to be even more effective in dealing with tlie menace, have now been manufactured. Tlie pumps, which are hand-operated, are fitted with a two-way nozzle, one for a line spray to render the firebomb innocuous and the other for a jet of water to extinguish fires that may result before they become serious. It is revealed in London that some of the incendiary bombs used by the Germans contain small explosive charges. Colonel Simon, the inventor of the stirrup pump, said that the proportion of these explosive incendiary bombs was small, and in any case there were several ways in which a fire-fighter could protect himself. One way was to carry a sandbag in front of his face and chest in tackling the bomb. Guildhall to be Repaired. Though the Guildhall suffered much damage in the recent big incendiary raid on London, reports which circulated at the same time to the effect that the historic building was destroyed have no foundation. Though surrounding buildings—-the Aiderman’s Court Room, the Council Chamber and the town clerk’s office—have largely disappeared, the walls of tlie magnificent banqueting hall still stand. Indeed, they may be said to be in no worse condition than after the Great. Fire of 1666. The modern roof has been burnt, but another can be erected. The work of clearing the Guildhall is in progress, and Sir Giles GilbertScot. who has investigated the position generally in collaboration with the City Surveyor, is about to present a report to tlie Common Council. It is proposed to erect a flat-pitched steel roof covered with asphalt at a cost of £2OOO. Without anticipating the report, it may be said that generally the walls remain sound, and there should be no difficulty in dealing with them in such a way that an equally beautiful roof may be substituted.

Precautions against further destruction in Hie Temple precincts were taken yesterday when Sir Patrick Hastings, treasurer of the Middle Temple, presided at a meeting of the Middle and Inner Temples which was held to discuss an extension of the fire guard system to bring it into line with the fire-fighting order. Well-known barristers. including a King’s Counsel, are among the many lawyers who are already taking duty nightly to guard the buildings against fire-bombs.