BALLOON ALARM

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20184, 29 February 1940, Page 13

BALLOON ALARM

UNFOUNDED RUMOURS ANXIOUS DAY IN BRITAIN MINISTRY DISPELS FEARS LONDON, Feb. 15. Remarkable rumours, spreading like wildfire, that the Germans were releasing poison gas balloons, gaye people on the east coast of Britain an anxious day and resulted in precautions being taken over a wide ai'ea. Orders were given to officials .to take the utmost care. Railway stationmasters were instructed that the balloons should be handled only by persons in gas masks. Residents in districts extending from Essex to Fife were warned noi to touch the balloons, and Air Raid Precaution workers were ordered to watch the coasts closely. Notice Circulated The police at King's Lynn. Norfolk, circulated the following notice: ‘ The enemy dropped toy balloons which may contain highly inflammable gas which explodes when touched.” Children were warned not to tamper with red balloons. The police in Essex were told that balloons, attached to kites, were seen floating on the sea. Other accounts described the balloons as like footballs. The greatest alarm was at Berwick, where wardens warned the people to carry gas masks. This caused women to besiege the Air Raid Precautions headquarters demanding masks. Employees going to work without masks turned back. Ultimately, the Air Ministry dispelled the scare by explaining that the balloons were harmless, and were used for meteorological work both by England and Germany. Most of them are of simple design, although one type used by the air force carries a thermometer, bare meter, and a wireless set which automatically reports flying conditions ;n the atmosphere.