Mexborough and Swinton Times February 10, 1939
Big Crowd See A.R.P. Organisation in Action
Many Women Watchers
More than 1,000 Swinton people, including a large percentage of women, had a foretaste of the war of the future in the Bowbroom tip-field on Saturday. Gas and incendiary bombs exploded; clouds of gas rose and sank; and a hut was fired. But that was not all. There was also a preview of the district’s A.R.P. services in action, for the occasion was a comprehensive demonstration by local volunteers of the methods by which the home front will be protected.
First In District.
A similar demonstration was given a short time ago by co-ordinated Rother Valley A.R.P. services at Thrybergh, but this was the first of the kind in the immediate district. The mock air raid had several purposes. A primary intention was to facilitate for the first time the co-operation of all the trained volunteers in the many A.R.P. services, and to put their accumulating theory to practical tests. Another was to show the non-enlisted public what they will be required to face: it is obviously easier to stand a blow if one is forewarned and prepared. And yet another, of course, was to encourage enrolment in one of the branches of A.R.P. service which were revealed at work.
As a demonstration, and as a test, the field day was an outstanding success. On the one hand, spectators were able to see the value of A.R.P. preparations, and to what degree Swinton and district is forearmed; on the other, the volunteers themselves were able to understand the importance of perfect training and co-operation.
Imitation Bombs.
About a dozen air raid wardens took part in the first section of the demonstration. Imitation high explosive and gas bombs were exploded, and the widely different timbre of the reports was explained by a commentator using an amplifier. Then waves of realistic mock gas began to creep across the terrain and wardens wearing complete protective clothing and respirators casually strolled in the thick of it. The purpose of this was to show the efficiency of the protective equipment.
The explosion of a “mustard gas” bomb brought the wardens again into action. They were seen running from the headquarters blowing whistles as warnings, and when they had located the area impregnated with the gas they returned to summon rescue and decontamination squads sounding rattles.
In a few moments the whine of the decontamination van siren was heard from Queen Street. Warning notices (in A.A. yellow) were erected, and the affected district was roped off. The decontamination and rescue workers wore the heavy regulation clothing from head to foot, for the slightest touch of mustard gas on any part of the body or clothing is serious. The squad went about their work smoothly and methodically under their leader, Mr. J. Macaskill, of Wath Rescue Station.
Bleach powder was scattered on the impregnated ground and a hose was rigged us to a hydrant. By water and bleach powder the effect of the mustard gas is overcome, and by hard swilling the area as he arrived is cleansed.
Incendiary Bombs,
Next. wardens under Mr. E. Adams and Mr. J. Goodwin, demonstrated the methods of dealing with incendiary bombs, which burn fiercely for several minutes and throw off a cascade of large sparks to ignite inflammable material in a radius of several yards. The neat, easily transported hand-pump was shown in action and the bomb was rapidly brought under control. Then sand containers were used. The bomb was put on a two-inch foundation of sand and scoops of sand were poured upon it as it burned. The result was that the table on which it stood was scarcely scorched.
The commentator pointed out that sand has a particular value for extinguishing incendiary bombs, and for this reason a two-inch layer of sand on the floors of houses has been recommended to prevent the spread of fire.
Thirty members of the Rotherham Auxiliary Fire Service, under Superintendent Britain, provided the next demonstration.
They showed four trailer pumps in action, and superintendent Brian explained their users. The jets are small but powerful, and well able to deal with fires caused by incendiary bombs. Each trailer pump can produce several jets and they are so designed that if a water supply is destroyed water can be brought from a considerable distance to feed the hoses.
A specially constructed port, of many kinds possible kind, was set alight, and a trailer pump was brought into action to extinguish the flames. The men achieved this with extreme efficiency and speed.
Not only should this demonstration result in increased expertise in personnel; it should also bring every section of ARP up to establishment. One omission seemed unfortunate; when so many women were present in demonstration of the work they can do for A.R.P. would have been very valuable.