A.R.P. PREPAREDNESS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 187, 4 May 1940, Page 12

A.R.P. PREPAREDNESS

Efficiency Of British System THE LESSON OF CLACTON (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 2. The Home Secretary. Sic John Anderson, states Unit the crash of the enemy bomber at Clacton, causing the loss of two English lives and injury to 150 people and great damage to properly, is a clear demonstration tnat any locality* may have brought home 'to it at any moment the value of a wellmanned and efficient civil defence serSlr John pays a tribute to tlie prompt and excellent work of the Clacton A.R.i’. services, and expresses the earnest hope that the lesson of this event will inspire large numbers to respond to the appeal for a quarter of a million able men and women to otter themselves as part-time volunteers in the civil defence forces. The efficiency of the Clacton A.R.i’. service is praised by the entire Press. “The Times” says: “That tlie A.R.I’ system works so well in practice should be an encouragement to the thousands of volunteers throughout the country who are giving their time to it. That it has actually been called upon is proof to till that their long immunity is no reason for lessening their vigilance.”

The "Daily Mail” describes it as a big test of the training which the A.R.P. has passed through with triumph, while the “News Chronicle” says that the effort will be a stimulant and an example. The “Daily Herald” says: “The calmness shown by citizens and the promptness and efficiency of the A.R.P. workers prove that sudden and unexpected disaster from the air causes no sign of panic among the people of these parts.” The “Manchester Guardian” says that had Clacton been without efficient and prompt A.R.P. forces the damage would have been much greater. “Unless tighter machines can keep the enemy from crossing our shores Clacton will be merely a foretaste.”