BOMB DANGER

Evening Star, Issue 25776, 26 April 1946, Page 8

BOMB DANGER

THREAT FROM BURIED EXPLOSIVE ' ALIVE AFTER FIVE YEARS (Eec. 8 a.m.)' LONDON, April 25. . When a German I,ooolb delayedaction bomb began ticking five years after it was dropped in 1941, hundreds of strollers were'hustled from St. James Park, and the Mall and Birdcage Walk were closed down. Telephone messages warning of the imminent danger were sent to Buckingham Palace, Marlborough House, and other houses nearby. The bomb is said to be liable to explode at any minute. Sappers to-day found the bomb 31ft down after several days' digging, but when the disposal squad's commanding officer tested it with a stethoscope it began ticking. Without waiting to place protective sandbags around the base of the.shaft, the commanding officer withdrew his men, warning the police on duty at the Royal residence that the bomb would explode within 24 hours. All available police were sent to the park to cordon off the area. The King and Queen are at Windsor. There is only a skeleton staff at Buckingham Palace. Queen Mary, returning late this afternoon from Windsor, was informed of the danger, but she refused to be deterred, and to-night v lights were shining in front of her rooms at Marlborough House as usual.