BOMB DISPOSAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 118, 22 May 1942, Page 3

BOMB DISPOSAL

GROUP IN TRAINING SELECTED VOLUNTEERS. Wellington, May 21. The formation of an Army bomo disposal group to deal with unexploded or delayed-action aerial bombs and unexploded anti-aircraft shells has been - announced by the Minister of Defence, y Mr. Jones. He said that oilicers anct T n.c.o.s from various parts of New Zea- t land were being trained by an in- £ structor who wnile abroad had re- J, ceived training in this highly-special-ised work. f “The public should be familiar with their general lield of operations,” the Miniister said, "so that should the <- necessity arise they will co-operate n with the bomb disposal personnel in every possible way by quickly evacuating, when instructed to do so, dangerous areas while those areas are being made safe, and by reporting the location of any aerial bombs or unexploded anti-aircraft shells. The [' group may be recognised by a special badge worn on the cliff ol the right s sleeve, consisting of a flaming bomb 11 on a blue-bordered background. This jr badge will give the wearers the right to enter all prohibited areas without “ question or delay so that they may proceed with the business of bomb disposal. 11 “Distinctive markings are also pro- i" vided for bomb disposal group vehicles, t which may be recognised by the large P red Hags they display. These vehicles f should be regarded by the public much n in the same light as a fire-engine and a should always be given right of way. P “The personnel of the unit consists g of selected volunteers, th majority be- d ing chemists, physicists, engineers, electricians, and tunnellers, who will n be trained for their special work. The a training course at present, being at- I tended by bomb-disposal group officers s and n.c.o.s is impressively practical. At li the moment, for instance, they are a training with actual live aerial bombs, v “The Government greatly appreci- s ates the action of members of the t bomb-disposal group in voluntarily a undertaking this hazardous type of t i work. They are rendering a vital ser- t • vice to the Dominion." r