PEOPLE AT WAR

Grey River Argus, 8 November 1939, Page 8

PEOPLE AT WAR

The British people are at war for the second time in one generation. All observers of their reaction are agreed that it is not the atmosphere of 1914. There is no jingoism, there is no hatred of the German people. Neither is there any' false hope of a “walk-over” or a “lightning war.” London, unrecognisable at n’ght in her black-out, strangely' altered byday with mountains of sand-bags piled against buildings, is taking the state of war quietly but rather grimly. Sole relief is the sight all dav of the silvery balloons of the barrage floating in hundreds high above the great city, calm, serene, pointing with the unanimity and strong command of archangels across the heavens.

Below their serenity, human beings carry on with their activities, for the war spreads itself across the nation’s life. Air raid shelters are in every street, seldom proof against a direct hit from a heaw bomb. nut. in most cases affording protection from anything less than this. More efficient are the organisation of wardens, the first-aid and anti-gas posts, and the night traffic control. Even experts are amazed at the rapidity with which the great cities have covered themselves with darkness, while maintaining essential movement of goods and men. Human nature asserts itself, and with it, humour. Americanisms and wisecracks are supplanted by sum facetious quotations frnrn the Fuehrer as “My patience is exhausted." Typical, scenes recur with Herr Hitler’s name always well in the forefront. There is no motorist so road-hoggish, no pedestrian so impatient, that he cannot be subdued with a “Nah then, Ttler!” from policeman, conductor’ or fellow-tra-veller. And a “Hi, there, not through the Corridor,” checks the! lorry driver who wishes to take a one-way street. Best story is of the inevitable small boy. Sitting in the dentist’s chair, he protests vigorously against the treatment threatened. Mother comes coaxingly to his side. “Come on now, Albert,” says she, “if you haven’t got your teeth put right you won’t, be able to bite him when he comes over.”