RESERVE FLEET IN READINESS

Southland Times, Issue 23988, 1 December 1939, Page 11

RESERVE FLEET IN READINESS

Great Britain’s War Preparations EFFECT OF BALLOON BARRAGE The fact that Britain had a reserve fleet of 130 vessels and 12,000 men commissioned for service just before the outbreak of war impressed Mr L. W. Spencer, who has just returned to Invercargill after a 10 months’ visit to Great Britain and France, as an example of the remarkable organization which the nation has at her command when an emergency arises. This fleet, Mr Spencer said 'in an interview with The Southland Times yesterday, put to sea just before war was declared. There was a story going round, he said, that Mr Neville Chamberlain’s visit to Munich was a diplomatic bluff to delay matters, as Britain realized that time was an essential factor. If a truce could be patched up it would give Britain time to prepare for the clash which, it was felt, was inevitable. Everywhere in England, Mr Spencer declared, people showed a quiet determination to see the task through. They were tired of the existing conditions and were anxious to make a clean sweep. On his way home Mr Spencer passed through one of the contraband shipping control areas near Dover, where 60 vessels of all nationalities were gathered for examination. “It was a most remarkable sight,” he said, “and was one of those things that made one feel aware of the might of the British Navy.” The balloon barrage over London, he said, was, apart from its utility value, a beautiful sight. The balloons were painted a silvery colour, like aluminium, and hovered gracefully over the city. They were spread out from the middle of London for a distance of 20 miles, and in the bright sunshine presented a marvellous picture. “There must have been 400 or 500 of them,” he added, “and their moral effect, both from the point of view of the people of London, and also on the German airmen who are likely to encounter them must be very valuable. Each balloon has two or three chains suspended from it, and these would present a formidable obstacle to any invading aircraft.” There was a strict examination of all passengers leaving from Tilbury, and Mr Spencer and his party was held up for two hours before it was allowed on board the ship. “By the time that examination was over,” he said, “many people were inclined to be hot under the collar. The attitude of the ship’s company was normal in every way. They appeared to maintain a supercilious disdain for the risks of the voyage which instilled complete confidence in the passengers. It was reported that two or three hours after they had passed the Lizard another vessel had struck trouble with a submarine at that same spot.” Nobody on the voyage knew the ship’s position from day to day, and one passenger who was rather curious to know asked one of the lift boys. “Well you see sir,” said the lift boy, “this is the first time I have been on this boat, but it is thought that we are going to New Zealand.” Mr Spencer was in Cheltenham for five weeks. It is an area of beautiful country on the border of the Cots-

wolds, not far from Gloucester, and is a haven of refuge for people who are seeking shelter from war’s alarms. “During my travels through England,” he said, “I saw many quaint old inns with equally quaint names and signboards illustrating their names. Among these, for instance, were the Eagle and Child, the Tillie Tudlum, the Popinjay, the Dog and Duck, tire Dog and Gun, The Barrel, the Barley Mow, the Goat in Boots, the Old Mug House, the Prodigal’s Return, the Bunch of Grapes, the Two Brothers, the Six Bells, the Letter of Introduction, the Crooked (Billet, the Elephant and Castle, and the Hop Pole.” One of the highlights of his trip, he said, was a tour by car to the south of France. They took their car from Dover to Calais, and motored down in easy stages to the Mediterranean, staying at Bandol, on the Little Riviera. It was a delightful experience, and the accommodation charges were remarkably low.