BACK FROM ENGLAND

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 16, 13 February 1942, Page 5

BACK FROM ENGLAND

GISBORNE MAN'S VISIT

ATTITUDE TO RAIDS

After a two and a half year visit to England, Mr T. Moss returned to Gisborne recently. He left New Zealand in April, 1939, anil arrived jn England seven weeks later. The greater portion of his stay in the Mother Country was spent during the Avar period in the districts of Essex, Chatham and Artford.

Speaking about the British people's attitude towards the bombing attacks, he said that they had become accustomed to them, and thev regarded the raids as part of their everyday life. "The British people," he said, "are having a much easier time now than they Avere at the beginning of hostilities." Mr Mess also remarked on the calm manner in Avhich they stood outside the shelters Avhen a raid was on, and watched a dog-fight, whereas at the start of the laids they used to scurry to the shelters like rabbits. Night raiders seemed to cause most alarm as the people could not. see the planes, but could only hear the constant throb ctf their engines, the sound 'of which seemed to plav on their nerves. More frightening than the bombers, lioAvever, Avas the crash of the British A.A. guns, and one mobile gun made a particularly loud explosion. Bombers' Objectives Mr Moss, said that in his opinion the bombers seemed to ha\ T e the railway stations as their objectives, probably to dislocate traffic, as much private property near railways had been damaged. Another objective was the road from London to Southend, Avhich had been hit many times, although most of the bombs aimed at the road usually fell in adjacent fields. The reason for this road being seen at nights Avas. the reflection cast bv car lights, Avhich were permissable in the country. "London," he said, "had stood up to a terrific battering, and it is not possible to go for a 3d ride in a bus without seeing some damage. The area in the vicinity of St. Paul's suffered most damage, and the blocks of shops, have been completely demolished. In one. important centre there are only six shops left standing, one of them being Woolworths, which is carrying-on its business with a temporary roof. Ludgate Hill, toAvards the Strand, is demolished, and areas near White Chapel and the Mint have been bombed frequently."'

Mr Moss said that one thing which was very pleasing was the fact that no bridges across the Thames had been hit and that traffic was not seriously hindered, despite the many streets strewn with, wreckage.

Referring to air raid shelters and the blackout, he remarked that they were both very efficient. The blackout was so severe that it was even hard to distinguish the white-paint-ed posts and pavements. The shelters which provided most safety were I those which were situated at 50 to (30ft beneath the' ground, and the new surface shelters 15ft square and constructed of reinforced brick and concrete. These shelters were provided with conveniences such as stretchers to sleep on 'and appliances for cooking. Mr Moss said that he had spent every night for four weeks in a dug-out during the blitz. --Herald. I