BOMBING RAIDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 April 1942, Page 4

BOMBING RAIDS

SAFETY MEASURES USEFUL HINTS FOR PUBLIC. EXPERIENCE AT DARWIN. That rumours spread by gossips after aerial attacks are far more damaging than destruction done by bombs is the opinion of a New Zealander who has lived through raids on Darwin. Writing to relatives at Onehunga and advising them how to behave if attacked, Mr J. T. Samuel, a mining engineer formerly of Otago and now with the Public Works Department at Darwin, whore he has been since Japan's -declaration of war, says the amazing thing is “the damage bombs do not do.”

“People in a slit trench 30ft from the blast are uninjured,” he writes. “It is largely a matter of luck, of course, but anyone in a slit trench, lying in a depression or even in the open is very difficult to kill. TWO TYPES TO WATCH. “There have been two types of bombs used here—the demolition type, a heavily-charged bomb making a big crater and used on buildings; and the anti-personnel bomb, a much smaller one which bursts in a great number of pieces projected laterally. It makes a small crater and is used with the object of getting, men. “Machine-guns are used against any moving target—if the target is stationary it is probably not visible—or against buildings suspected of containing men. Incendiary bombs I would expect to be used against thickly built-up areas. Gas bombs I would not expect to be used at all, for it is difficult to imagine their being effective except under conditions it would be hard to get and impossible to foretell.”

Describing useful precautions for civilians, the writer says it is important to keep away from military objectives or from any shelter that might resemble a machine-gun post, as these would be liable to both high and loWlevel bombing, incendiary bombing and machine-gunning. LIMITED DANGER. “Away from actual targets,” the engineer continues, “the danger from bombing is restricted to nuisance raids, in which the bombs (usually one Or two) are dropped anywhere just to scare the public; or they may be misdirected bombs or dropped by a ‘jittery’ pilot who is letting go anywhere just to get rid of his load. "Another danger is from fragments of anti-aircraft shells. These fall mainly along the track of the aircraft. Although anyone who gets hit is unlucky, there are quite a lot of fragments, and an overhead cover is advisable. “When it comes to precautions, the first thing is to know the signals. It is surprising how many people do not —even those who are supposed to give them. It is advisable to take no chances, as a siren might break down in the middle of a signal, anyhow. PARTLY-OPEN TRENCH. “The second requirement is to have a suitable shelter, for preference a slit trench well away from buildings and anything that might block exits An open trench, where one can see what is going on, is really good for the- nerves, as waiting more or less in the dark for something to happen is a strain; but at least some part of the trench should be covered as protection from debris and shrapnel. “High-level bombs can safely be watched, as they shine when released and are clearly visible. It is approaching bombs that are dangerous, for bombs released over' your head travel a couple of miles away. Anti-aircraft fragments fall more or less vertically. Both bombs and fragments take a few seconds to arrive, which gives you time to duck. MACHINE-GUN DANGER. “With low-flying ‘ aeroplanes, the danger is more from machine-gunning, and it is advisable to stay under cover until they have passed. The height of an approaching aeroplane can be judged from the sound quite easily. While with high-level bombs it is advisable to make for the nearest trench or even a gutter, with low-flying aeroplanes it is better to get out of sight under trees, in long grass or against a fence, 'and particularly to spread out and avoid running with a crowd.” When the “all clear” has been sounded, says the writer, the best tning to do is to jump out of shelter, resume whatever job has been interrupted and refuse to listen to gossip about what damage has been done. “A few hours later, when everybody’s nerves have calmed down, is quite time enough to hear the news from elsewhere,”, he concludes. “I have seen the damage caused by rumours and it can be more serious than the raid itself.”