THE ST. PAUL’S BOMB

Evening Star, Issue 23683, 17 September 1940, Page 7

THE ST. PAUL’S BOMB

WORK OF REMOVAL THRILLS NATION " SUICIDE SQUAD'S " COURAGE AND ■JENACITY REMARKABLE STORY OF GAMBLING WITH DEATH Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, September 16. With pictures and prose the newspapers applaud the courage of “ suicide squads,” who, under the more prosaic title of Bomb Disposal Squads of the Royal Engineers, have dealt effectively with many delayed action bombs. The bomb removed from the vicinity of St. Paul’s was one of the largest dropped on London. The official account of its removal bv a squad under Lieutenant R. Davies is among the most remarkable stories of the Battle for London. The Ministry of Home Security states: “ Only the courage and tenacity of Lieutenant Davies and bis men prevented St. Paul’s from being levelled to the ground.” ’ When the Bomb Disposal Section began to dig three days ago they found that a six-inch gas main had been fractured, and three men were gassed at an early stage. The gas company was called in to deal with the main, which had caught fire. Nobody then knew how close to the blazing main the bomb might have been. When the gas had at last been cut off tho Bomb Disposal Section had to dig for 27ft 6in into subsoil before they found the bomb.

It proved to be a ton in weight, and looked like a vast hog about Bft long. Moreover, it was fitted with fuses which made it deadly dangerous to touch or move. To save devastating damage to St. Paul’s the risk of removal had to be undertaken, and with great difficulty it was drawn up with special tackle, for a high polish had been imparted to it by its passage ’through the soil, making it difficult to handle. Two lorries in tandem were required to haul it out of the hole. The streets from St. Paul’s to Hackney Marshes were cleared by the (police, and the bomb was placed on a vast lorry and driven away at high speed, the risk of explosion being imminent the whole time. On Sunday at Hackney Marshes the bomb was blown up by the Bomb Disposal Section. It caused a 100 ft crater, and rattled windows, and in one place loosened plaster in houses far away on the marshes. MAGNIFICENT COURAGE WARM PRAISE ON ALL SIDES (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 16. (Received September 17, at 10.10 a.m.) The magnificent courage of the few men who safely removed the high-ex-plosive bomb which menaced St. Paul’s Cathedral ' since last Wednesday is warmly praised on all sides, and there is world-wide relief that Wren’s magnificent masterpiece escaped undamaged. DEEP CONCERN MR GANDHI'S COMMENT (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. September 16. (Received September 17, at 10.10 a.m.) In approving the Indian Congress resolution expressing admiration for the bravery and endurance of the British people, Mr Gandhi said: “Any damage to St. Paul’s would be as keenly felt by me as would damage to Benares.” [Benares, city of the United Provinces, it situated on the Ganges. It is celebrated for its temples and shrines, and is one of the holiest places of the Hindus.] LUNCHEON SERVICES RESUMED SPECIAL PRAYERS OF THANKS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 16. (Received September 17, at 11.15 a.m.) Special prayers of thanks for the safety of the fabric were said in St. Paul’s to-day, when the first luncheon service since the removal of the unexploded bomb was held. The officiating canon gave thanks for the courage, skill, and devotion to duty of the men who disposed of the bomb. BOMBING OF PALACE MESSAGES FROM COLONIAL EMPIRE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 16. (Received September 17, at 10.50 a.m.) From all parts of the Colonial Empire telegrams continue to reacli London expressing heartfelt thanks that the King and Queen escaped injury in the besnhing of Buckingham Palace and indignation at the wanton attack. Typical of these is a message from the Governor of Tanganyika, who offers on behalf of the people of Tanganyika an expression of sympathy and pride and admiration for the citizens of London who. led by their Majesties, are meeting the barbarous assault of the enemy with inspiring fortitude.