BOMBING TRAGEDIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 June 1941, Page 4

BOMBING TRAGEDIES

THREE HUNDRED DROWNED IN SHELTER TERRIBLE SCENES IN BRITAIN. ARP. WORKER ADDRESSES ROTARY CLUB. A vivid description of the indiscriminate German bombing in Britain and experiences as an A.R.P. worker was given to members of the Masterton Rotary Club today by Mr J. S. Hoar, of the Mercantile Navy. Mr Hoar stressed the necessity for the people of this country to establish an all-in war effort. Mr Hoar, who is an ex-resident of the Wairarapa, left New Zealand early last September in the Mercantile Navy and returned recently. He spent several months in England, both in London and Liverpool. He will be returning to England in the near future. “My first impressions on returning to New Zealand from bombed England was that the people of this country have indifferent ideas about the war effort,” said Mr Hoar. He attributed it to the fact that New Zealand had experienced security not only during the war of 1914-18 but throughout its history. “It was the greatest disappointment of my life when I read in an Auckland paper, on the first day of my return from England that 1.200 workers were on strike," he said. "No doubt they don't realise exactly what the people of Great Britain are suffering and enduring, otherwise such a thing would not be. At the same time all realise that if an emergency did arise all would, rise to the occasion like the people of England. During my brief stay here I have addressed many meetings because I feel it is my duty to do so, after having shared the sufferings of the people of England.”

Mr Hoar paid tribute to the morale of the British people. Although there were some in New Zealand who considered that the people could not endure the strain and would capitulate like other countries, there was no doubt whatsoever that the British people would stand up and fight to the last man. Capitulation was never thought of in England. Polities had long since faded out. All realised that mistakes made in the past were bygones. The people accepted the leadership of Mr Churchill on any issue. He was undoubtedly the man of the hour.

During his time in London Mr Hoar was attached for many weeks to an A.R.P. squad (demolition unit) on the Strand and in that period there was only one night on which there was no alarm. The A.R.P. workers were 100 per cent civilian soldiers. In fact, they were more than soldiers in that they were on duty for 24 hours and received no leave. The A.R.P. workers bore the full brunt of the German bombing. “T must drive these facts home to the people of this country," stated Mr Hoar. He pointed out that he had seen the sordid side of life in this war and urged his listeners to appreciate the necessity for a complete "all-in" war effort. “On one occasion 1 saw where there were 300 people trapped in a shelter. A bomb had scored a direct hit nearby and had burst the water mains. There were fifteen feet of masonry and debris on. top of the shelter. All did their best to get to the entombed people and communication was established by means of piping, in 18-inch length, driven down in sections. When the people below could be heard they informed the A.R.P. workers that the shelter was gradually flooding. Despite their screams of desperation nothing could be done and all were drowned,” continued Mr Hoar. "On another occasion in Liverpool. I went to a so-called “shelter.” which had contained 700 people. A bomb had made a direct hit. Not 5 per cent of the people were recognisable. Eventually the shelter was sealed over and all that remains is a common grave."

"There lias been a definite, and necessary, improvement in air raid shelters," said Mr Hoare. Ventilation and sanitation had been improved. The tube stations in London were crowded out at night. Men and women with babies in their arms and whole families huddled together on rugs. Many "slept" on concrete steps with newspapers over their heads to keep the light off their eyes. "Such is life in every British city." concluded Mr Hoar.