PERIL OF AIR RAIDS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19131, 28 September 1936, Page 9

PERIL OF AIR RAIDS

BRITAIN'.S PLANS ANTI-0-AS TKAININC! LONDON. Sept. 17. (Some details of Britain's elaborate plans to resist gas attacks from the air were revealed by Major St Halt Blackmore, of the Home- Office, in an address at, a meeting of the Medical PractitinniTs' Union, "Because of the development of t\m modern, bombing he said, "'Britain could bo defeated without her army or navy ever going into action, simply by debasement of the national morale." One of the most serious possible re-

suits of gas attacks, lie pointed out, wa-i panic. A modern war was not going to Le a matter of armies at grips with armies, but nations at grips witli nations. '"The major clangors of air attacks." lie declared, "are high explosive bombs, incendiary bombs, and gas bombs. 1 place gas last, because it is the least danjTorotis if the population is trained and equipped." Major Maekmorc said that the Home Office proposed to establish virst-aid parties, lirst-aicl posts, casualty clearing bospilnls, and base hospitals, all linked up Ibv ambulances. A scheme would \<o introduced in October to enable doctors lo acquire a. specialised knowledge of anti-Bus work. With thi« object "'' selected medical men. bad /been drafted to various parts of the country. "There will bo three kinds of respira-h-s." be proceeded, "ono for soldlera, a, second for police and firemen, and a third for .civilians. .Xhose of the latter

type will be stored until, they are absolutely necessary, - when they caii be distributed in from one. to two .vjays- l"iIlonie OSke is also considering.the erection of gas-proof ro.-'tiiv "There will hs wrrr: -.tnlioned all round Ihe coast of' llntaui with equipment l.i pick lip the s'dtttifl < f jrd'ijitciii: aeroplr.r.es and to\so4Ul rvcit warnings.;" Or. A. L. liawliiigs. in an address at the conference of the British As.=oei»i.ion lor tW Adva--; ;:W -u S.-b v._v. said- that there were' ma:uV^Toui>*J' ; • within 1000 miles of London- which could send a fleet, of bombing'aeroplanes capable c; dropp.risr m\& .--.'■•■ ;«:•." • ■ • of .the EO tons. id. m'ssi'es whiuh tell iu London throughout' the world war. "I doubt- whether' gas is "the -most serious air menace." he added. "Wiry trouble about gas when a few -wili-dir-eetrd bombs- would .cut oii'-ibod and water supplies and paralyse transport J"