The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-07-18
GERMANY,|TALY,
RUSSIA LEAD
IN DEFENSE

in UEFEW1E
Cities Given Darkness Tests So
That Leaders Can Estimate
Ah Protection Advantages
Vast preparations are being
made to protect the ciUiliGn
population of Europe from
aerial attacks, but the fear re-
mains that "the bomber tDill
GltDGys get through" H. r.
Knickerbocker, noted foreign
correspondent of International
NeDS SerUice. tDriteS In the
fourth article of his series
"The Great ChGoS.")
By H. r. KNICKERBOCKER
International News Service Staff
Correspondent
world copyright, 1885, by Interna'
tIOnal News Service. Reproduction in
whole or part strictly prohibited.)
LONDON, July 18. G.N.S).
Twenty million European civilians
are organized today in leagues Of
air defense. European depart
ment stores carry gas masks as
regular stock in trade. Gas-proof
bags for babies in arms have ap-
peared on the market. This con-
tinent is feverishly bent on saving
itself from death from the air. but
death keeps the advantage.
Russia, Germany and italy are
leading the world in the prepare
ton of their civilian population to
Withstand air attack, but France,
Poland, Czechoslovakia and Eng.
land are striving to catch up.
Largest Society
Once more it is the three revo-
1utionary governments which, be-
cause they take the air arm most
seriously, are doing most to or.
ganize defense against it.
Russia's "OSsoaviachim," the
society for air and chemical de-
fense," numbers 100000 mem
bers and it is the largest society
Of it's kind in the world.
It claims to possess $4,000
gliders. It is turning out 1000
trained pilots yearly. Anti-gas in
struction is obligatory in all Soviet
schools. Children in all the large
centers are provided with gas
masks and drilled once week.
Germany's League for Air De
tense, under Air Minister General
Herman Goering, has a member"
ship of 5000, 900. Its corps OF air
raid wardens," specially trained to
defend and discipline the civilian
population has a scheduled
Strength of 100000 members: .
Italy's "anti-air raid mll1tla"
numbers 100000.
Poland's. "air protection league"
numbers 100000.
Berlin Night Test
Paris has moved its aircraft
factories to the provinces and
within two years all the rest Will
have been moved. The British
have announced a decision to
move part of the Woolwich Ar"
SenaI away from London; but so
far only one Of Londons elgnG
large aircraft plants has been
moved.
The Germans were careful not
to concentrate their aircraft or
munitions industry around Der:
lin, but have carefully scattered
their plants.
Sham air-raidS are becoming a
regular part of the European
scene. Backing out Berlin was
the greatest operation Of its kind
ever accomplished.
For an hour before midnight
the city Of five million was
plunged into utter darkness,
every light extinguished. General
Goering flew over the city and
reported it was virtually invisible.
Cities Hold Tests
Next day his air force "raided"
Berlin's most densely populated
."OAA4A4B CAooO 0CSO4OAA3 1A4COADC4 s.
In Italy, 900 airplanes attacked
Milan, Turin, and taught the
population how to run for cover.
Naples was twice BACKED out.
Warsaw had a whole night. of
air raids, and in Wilma the popu-
lation was warned that anyone
appearing without gas masks on
the street would be treated as a
casualty. Several score were
taken to hospitals and their
Stomachs pumped out.
Traditionally slow to get ex.
cited, the British have only now
begun to experiment. with black.
ing out cities. They first tried
it out on the three naval towns,
Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester,