BOMB DISPOSAL

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 116, 19 May 1942, Page 3

BOMB DISPOSAL

GROUP IN TRAINING

SELECTED VOLUNTEERS

The formation of an Army bomb disposal group to deal with unexploded or delayed-action aerial bombs and unexploded anti-aircraft shells has been announced by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones. He said that officers and n.c.o.s from various parts of New Zealand were being trained by an instructor who while abroad had received training in this highly-specialised work. "The public should be familiar with their general field of operations," the Minister said, "so that should the necessity arise they will co-operate with the bomb disposal personnel in every possible way by quickly evacuating, when instructed to do so, dangerous areas while those areas are being made safe, and by reporting the location of any aerial bombs or unexploded antiaircraft shells. The group may be recognised by a special badge worn on the cuff of the right sleeve, consisting of a flaming bomb on a blue-bordered background. This badge will give the wearers the right to enter all prohibited areas without question or delay so that they may proceed with the business of bomb disposal.

"Distinctive markings are also provided for bomb disposal group vehicles, which may be recognised by the large red flags they display. These vehicles should be regarded by the public much in the same light as a fire-engine and should always be given right of way.

"The personnel of the unit consists of selected volunteers, the majority being chemists, physicists, engineers, electricians, and tunnellers, who will be trained for their special work. The training course at present being attended by bomb-disposal group officers and . n.c.o.s is impressively practical. At the moment, for instance, they are training with actual live aerial bombs.

"The Government greatly appreciates the action of members of the bomb-disposal group in voluntarily undertaking this hazardous type of work. They are rendering a vital service to the Dominion."