ORDEAL BY BOMB

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1940, Page 6

ORDEAL BY BOMB

London continues to endure the i ordeal of indiscriminate bombirig by i | an enemy who hopes by causing progressive havoc among civilians and their property to engender a spirit of surrender. There is nothing to support this hope in the attitude of the British people. The chief emotion aroused at London and in other districts that have suffered from air raids is one of anger. Determination to withstand an enemy capable of such savagery is greater than ever, and there is no sign of panic or of general nervous shock in the communities that have suffered the heaviest attacks. A proportion of the people will undoubtedly have received nervous injury, but speaking generally the people of Britain under the harrow of unprecedented attacks are developing a protective toughness — mental and physical — that will outlast whatever further frightfulness the enemy may employ. ^ u 'tt «

The fact that the fourth night of attacks upon London was less intensive than its predecessor has raised no false hopes that the worst of the ordeal is past. On the contrary the attitude of the public appears to be rather that as bombings cannot be prevented the life of the metropolis must be adjusted so that the 'danger and nuisance may be minimised. The» wounded and injured are receiving prompt attention; for the homeless food and shelter are being made available; transport and othcr services are being continued. A community capable of doing this while never knowing when the next raid will begin, but certain that it will come, shows no sign' of having had its morale destroyed. It has set a standard of conduct so high as to engender admiratiori and humility among those who live in & Dominion far removed from the probability of similar harrowing experiences and unable to. render assistance. Nevertheless the only way admiration for such heroism can be expressed with sincerity is by New Zealand rendering all the aid she can to the people of Great Britain. Evidence of Britain's high morale that- the enemy will not be able to ignore lies in the counter-attacks on German and Italian territories being made by the Royal Air Force. The most recent attack upon Berlin has given that city some idea of the kind of warfare Germany has waged successfully in neighbouring States but is finding not so successful in Britain. The Germans and Italians are learning that raids on, civilians by them will not go unrequited, and that their boasted defences are no more impregnable than those of the nation they are attacking. If they ponder upon the futility of the destruction caused on both sides it may bring reflection also upon the position into which thej' are being led by their ambition-mad rulers. • * ■» » Although counter-attacks are necessary and although they are being carried out with zeal, courage and success they do not represent the greatest gain to British character out of the present ordeal. That is to be found in the spirit of comradeship which is being quickened in the devastated areas. The ready response to the Lord Mayor's fund for those who have lost their homes and occupation is evidence that those who have are willing to share "with those who have not. But far more convincing evidence of the spirit of comradeship linked with the determination to continue with the fight until victory be won is found in the personal services being accorded in the stricken districts. More than buildings have been obliterated by German bombs;' Selfishness, social barriers and much that falls short of good citizenship has also been wiped out. Men and women are recognising each other not merely as fellow sufferers in a righteous cause, not merely the victims of an unscrupulous enemy, but as sharers in an endeavour that calls for sacrifice but will end assuredly in triumph. In the quickening of that spirit the enemy will find himself opposed by a force beyond the power of high explosive to shatter.