Latest Fire Bomb Is Demonstrated At New Plymouth

Taranaki Daily News, 28 August 1942, Page 2

Latest Fire Bomb Is Demonstrated At New Plymouth

Fire controlier shows way to extinguish. "If you f#gard them as giant flrecrackers and deal with them confidently, speedily and efficiently, there is no need to be afraid of incendiary bombs," said Mr. L. Hartley, fire controlier, when conducting a demonstration of the most destructive type of British bomb at a parade last night of New Plymouth fire gervices. It was the first time bombs of this particular type had been seen at New Plymouth. They had been sent from England, said Mr. Hartley, and were identical with those now being dropped over Germany by Allied aeroplanes. Weighing four pounds, the bombs were nearly two feet long and about two inches in diameter, and contained thermite in a . magnesium casing. German incendiar j* J bombs weighed only two and a-hall pounds. said Mr. Hartley. The incendiary bombs used for the demonstration were the most destructive type so far i)> vented, he explained. Methods Shown. In addition to the parade of fire servicemen, controllers and members of all E.P.S. services were invited to attend the display, which was held at the rear of Phillipps Motors' garage. After first demonstrating extinguishing methods on dummy bombs, Mr. Hartley, assisted by Mr. A. W. Goodwin, deputy-superintend-ent of the fire brigade, and Fireman S. Sadler, dealt with real incendiary bcvbs. One was set off by means of a fuse and the second, which was charged, was thrown upon the ground with sufficient force to explode it. By picking up a burning bomb, Mr. Hartley showed that it could be easily removed to a clear space in order to extinguish it. Water from a bucket, pump was directed to the flaming end of the bomb, which was then smothered with sand, and finally dropped into a bucket of water to ensure its complete destruction. A large sheet of heavy packing cardboard, which soon caught fire when blazing lumps of thermite fell ori it, clearly explained the necessity for speed when dealing with . incendiary bombs.