REPORT ON MOCK AIR WAR

Southland Times, Issue 23893, 11 August 1939, Page 7

REPORT ON MOCK AIR WAR

CONDITIONS BAD FOR RAIDERS BLACK-OUT POSTPONED FOR 24 HOURS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) LONDON, August 9. An official statement by the Air Ministry about the air exercises up to 3.30 a.m. today says:— “The ‘enemy’ made 160 raids, concentrating particularly on the Thames estuary and the home counties. The ‘enemy’ operated in the worst conditions with heavy cloud banks and rain belts sometimes 40 miles wide. The ‘enemy’ operated at from 400 to 10,000 ft Light and heavy anti-aircraft guns were contihuously working. The southern area alone suffered nearly 100 raids. Sixty fighters patrols made a number of interceptions. A heavy raid on Portsmouth was broken up.” It is officially announced that the black-out which was to have taken place tonight in the area comprising London, the Midland, eastern and southern counties has been postponed for 24 hours because the weather forecasts indicate widespread low cloud which would make satisfactory observation impossible. The black-out will definitely be carried out tomorrow night between the hours originally fixed —from midnight until 4 a.m. except in London where it will begin at 12.30 a.m. Every effort has been made in these air exercises to reproduce war conditions, and for the great black-out covering 28 counties an appeal, has been issued for the co-operation of all to ensure that the authorities will get full value from the exercises toward complete preparedness. The signal for the opening of the mock war over England was a War Ministry announcement that relations between “Eastland” and “Westland” were very strained, “Eastland” being an imaginary territory somewhere in the North Sea, and “Westland” certain

areas in the east and south-east of England. Soon after zero hour last night Royal Air Force bombers crossed the French coast and swept back towards the English coastline, where the ground defence units and aircraft were ready to receive them. The “Eastland” bombers kept up a continuous series of raids. Aeroplane crews waited in relays to take over the aeroplanes as soon as they were refuelled. From one “Eastland” aerodrome Fairey battle aircraft, flying to the French coast and returning at a high altitude, in many cases avoided the defending fighting aeroplanes. The Observer Corps, however, noted nearly every raid and flashed a warning to the anti-aircraft batteries, upon which tiie “Westland” air positions immediately sent up their fighters. During the flight the weather was in favour of the defenders, but this morning low cloud and ram spread from the west, enabling the “Eastland” aeroplanes to pass over the coast and get very close tc their targets without being identified. Occasional raids on “Eastland” bases by “Westland” bombers were reported by the look-outs at aerodromes and the entire personnel, donning gas masks as they ran, sheltered in gas-proof trenches. The decontamination squads were at work immediately after the raids. Soon alter 9 aun. numbers of aeroplanes began to converge on London. Eight formations moved up the Thames estuary and some swept up from the south-east counties. They met a sturdy defence by the fighters and anti-air-craft batteries. Some <_f the raiders succeeded in circling round London to the west, where they had a hot reception in the neighbourhood of Uxbridge and C.-V,!*-- . Londoners witnessed a thrilling ’ f n-iers engaged a squadron of “Eastland” aircraft. MISHAPS IN ROYAL AIR FORCE CASUALTIES IN CRASH IN YORKSHIRE LONDON, August 9. Two bombers engaged in the Royal Air Force exercises are believed to have crashed in the North Sea. A third bomber crashed and exploded at Tollerton, Yorkshire. It is believed that four men were killed in the latter crash. Three other Royal Air Force aeroplanes are reported to have been forced down in the sea at Felixstowe, and a Bristol Blenheim bomber made a forced ’anding at Chelmsford. Only one aeroplane failed to return—a Wellington bomber with a crew of five. “PEOPLE’S REGISTER” IN GERMANY NATIONAL SERVICE IN WAR TIME (Received August 10, 6.30 p.m.) BERLIN, August 9. A decree issued by the Minister for the Interior provides for a “people’s of the entire civil population between the ages of seven and 70. Millions of cards are being distributed demanding that citizens should reply to a host of searching questions about occupations, talents, hobbies, physical condition and family affairs. The register is intended to supplement police information dealing with national service in war time, especially enabling regimentation of women. An official declared: “We are squeezing the last drop of efficiency from the nation, which has already attained an impressive degree of competence. In the event of an emergency every man, woman, and child would be allotted the most suitable post,”