Britain’s Greatest Air Raid Defence Test Darkens 15 Counties

Northern Advocate, 10 July 1939, Page 5

Britain’s Greatest Air Raid Defence Test Darkens 15 Counties

LONDON, July 9., jf BRITAIN’S GREATEST AIR RAID DEFENCE TEST WAS STAGED FROM MIDNIGHT TO 4 a.m. TO-DAY, WHEN 15 COUNTIES, EXCLUDING LONDON, WERE PLUNGED IN COMPLETE DARKNESS. THE AREA OF 16,000 SQUARE MILES EMBRACED THE WHOLE OF SOUTHERN ENGLAND. ' HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS VOLUNTEERS TOOK PART, AND THE NERVE CENTRES OF THE DEFENCE AREAS WORKER UNDER STRICT WARTIME CONDITIONS:

Exacting Details

Real high explosive bombs wore detonated, and constantly lit up the darkened countryside. Special buildings wore set afire to test the fire-fighting apparatus, and gas warnings were given.

Squads wearing masks and special clothing canned out rescue “from the wreckage of bombed premises.” z The test was carried out in conjunction with the Royal Air Force preparatory to vast exercises in August, when London will be “attacked.” “Bombs” on Folkestone

A complete air raid rehearsal in Kent and Sussex covered 250 miles of vital coastline.

Nineteen “bombs” were dropped in the centre of Folkestone, where the test was very severe. Ambulances raced without lights, and the entire resources of one division vyere ’ rushed to cope with a “major disaster.” Luminous Paint Tests

Policemen in several towns were wearing caps treated with luminous paint which show up when the rays of shielded car-lights fall upon them.

Trains ran with the minimum of light. The Port of London Authority conducted a separate test. During the night vital stretches of the Thames were blacked out, and dozens of patrol boats demonstrated the use of luminous paint.

Invisible ultra-violet beams from the landing stages picked out, painted discs on the boats, enabling them to berth in darkness.

All craft using the Thames are being fitted out with this equipment. •