“NOT DOWNHEARTED”

Evening Star, Issue 23694, 30 September 1940, Page 6

“NOT DOWNHEARTED”

SMILING THROUGH AIR RAIDS BRITISH NOT EASILY DEFEATED First-hand experience of air raids in Great Britain is contained in a letter just received by a Dunedin resident from a woman living in a town in northern England. “ One week w r e had seven warnings in five days,” states the letter. “We are getting quite expert in getting dressed quickly. I thought I would get a pair of slacks, so that I could dress quicker still. I think they must have frightened Hitler, for after I got them wo had a very peaceful time, only two warnings in a fortnight. But last Sunday (July 28) was not so peaceful. I had just got into bed when I noticed the room seemed to be very bright, so L got up and saw the searchlights were on. I counted 23 at the back of the house, and there were quite as many at the front. Then I heard a plane, and before I knew what was happening the excitement started. Bombs were dropped, big J guns and anti-aircraft guns began firing, and the whole place seemed to be alive. I got dressed very quickly and dashed for the shelter. “ It is marvellous how safe you feel in a shelter. We have spout quite a lot of time there and they are quite comfortable. The all clear came about an hour later. We learnt afterwards that a schoolhouse and several residential houses were hit and three women were killed, only about a mile from here. “ The longest time we have spent in a shelter was four hours one night We went back to bed for about an hour, when the sirens went again, and off we went into the shelter once more, but only for about 20 minutes. There is one thing about the British people,

old Hitler can’t squash their sense of humour, and we have many a good laugh about the things we do these days. “ I mot a commander a little while ago who had been in the battle of Narvik and the evacuation from Dunkirk. The pictures of the battle of Narvik were taken from bis ship, and he could not praise the cameraman enough. He has had 278 bombs aimed at his ship, so evidently Jerry isn’t such a good shot. “ We are not downhearted, and feel confident we shall win. Everyone is very cheerful in spite of the high cost of living and high taxes. What most people are wanting is a real good go at the enemy, and if he does try to invade we are all very well prepared, and everybody is ready to do his or her bit. This last 10 days we have put in a good deal of time at the depot, where we are receiving aluminium, and it is absolutely marvellous the stuff that has been brought in. You would wonder where it has all come from. “ Don’t worry about us. We are not afraid the enemy will get here. We keep smiling and we are not downhearted. It will take a good deal to down the British; they always come up smiling, and we have got some grand lads with plenty of pluck.”