LONDON LIGHTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20073, 20 October 1939, Page 11

LONDON LIGHTS

BLACK-OUT ORDERS WEIRD EXPERIENCES “CREEPING LIKE SNAILS” CITY’S COUNTRY LANES Queer sights in the blackness of London streets in the early stages of the war are recounted in a letter received from a Gisborne resident touring in England.

The tourist was experiencing his first London black-out, and he was impressed with the complete arrangements made against air attack. “London certainly did the show well,” the Gisbornlte writes. “The black-out began at 7 p.m., when all advertising signs and street lights were extinguished. In our hotel, which has 1500 bedrooms, notices were left for each guest requesting that all bedroom curtains be completely drawn after dark so that no light whatever would be visible outside the building. The notice also mentioned that infringement may involve heavy penalties. “On going down to dinner we noticed a big staff busily engaged painting windows black and hanging dark curtains in halls and lounges, and exit doors to the street were all well screened. To cheer us up, each floor had broad red arrows painted on the walls, and big notices advised guests to follow arrows to the basement in case of air raids and at all times to carry gas masks. Gas Masks Fitted

“This morning the hotel manager gave us each an order for a gas mask, and on presentation at the Westminster City Hall we were fitted out.

“After dinner last night, I took a stroll into Piccadilly Circus, and what a queer sight! Gone were all the bright lights and signs which represent the London night. The City was in inky darkness, and the mighty stream of traffic was creeping along with dimmed lights. Famous streets like Piccadilly Circus looked like dark country lanes.

“To-night again the lights are out, and it looks as if black-outs have come to stay until further notice. It was a job getting back to the hotel. Collisions were many, but the crowd was most good-natured. Barrage Balloons

“This morning, on looking from our window into the sky, we were amazed to see all the barrage balloons were up, and I can assure you many people found some comfort in seeing this -.veird-looking curtain protecting old London City. How many balloons were up I cannot say; I should guess there were some hundreds, as we could count 20 from our window, and we had only a limited sky space to view."

Reference was made to the evacuation of the children a few days previously, the operation going on swiftly and quietly, and the writer added that 17 tube railways had closed temporarily while protective measures were being carried out. It was a strange sight to see the sand-bagged buildings with their "business as usual” signs up. Many shop windows had criss-cross paper strips pasted on them to prevent splinters of glass flying in the event of bombs being dropped in the vicinity. In numerous places arrows pointed the way to air-raid shelters. Amazing Transformation

“It is amazing the transformation that has taken place in the City during the past few days,” the writer adds, “and signs of preparedness are in. evidence everywhere. There are great scenes of activity in London parks, many soldiers attending to barrage balloons, anti-aircraft guns, and other duties, and lorries move at a quick pace filled with tree branches for camouflage purposes.

“England appears to have its many organisations well in hand, for we notice in the streets large numbers of men, women and girls in various uniforms representing many branches of service. The street musicians, including the barrel organs, are play ing patriotic airs, and last evening we heard passing soldiers singing ‘lt’s a Long Way to Tipperary’.”