The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-06

WdrLlIIlC lJ1JcIlSIIy.
 London alone has appealed for more than 100000 volunteers as air raid wardcns, fire patrols, first aid an ddc-contamination squads and repair gangs. So far about l5,000 volunteers have enlisted i'll London. In every other large city throughout the country similar air raid preparations arc being rushed forward.
 Even during the World War, when. airplancs had relatively limited range, London was ralded frequently by German bombers based on the Belgian coast Today, the British government admits that Greater London, with an area of 800 square miles and popula- tion of 8,250,000, probably constl- tutes the worlds most vulnerable target to air attacks.
 Two Defenses Set Up
 Britains present air raid protec- tion plans arc divided into two main categories; active anti-air- craft defcnses, and passive protec- ton of civilian populations during raids.
 The Royal Air Force today pos sesses about 500 first-line fighting planes and scout planes out of q total strength of approximately l,G00 machines. If an unreVealeu number of reserves and spares are included, probably 1000 to l,20o fighters would be available on out break of war.
 Besides the R. A. F. fighter squadrons, batteries of anti-air- craft guns and scarchlights, manned by 10000 territorial army troops are stationed in great arc from the River Humber, on the east coast, to Southampton, on the south coast, to intercept raiders from the continen. London itself and other big cities are ringed with mobile anti aircraft batteries to be rushed into action immediately on the out break of war. Along the entire east and south coasts trained volunteers are organized to man listening posts for detecting the approach of hostile aircraft.
 Steel Aprons Devised
 Finally, the government IS mahu- featuring hundreds of stationary balloons which in wartime VIII DC moored in a great circle around London, with steel cables suspended from each balloon to form a pro tective "apron' or "barrage through which enemy planes might find 1t difficult to penetrate.
 These preparations for active air raid defense have been underway for some time. Today, however, the government Is speeding up It's pas siye defense plans to prepare the civilian population to resist an at- tempted aerial knockout blow in the first few weeks of war Britain's war chiefs expect this country imme- diately on the outbreak of hostllities to be subjected to deVaStatlih series of raids, designed to breaK the populations morale and wrccK communications The R. A. r. is or ganized on the basis Of two bomber squadrons to every flghter-squadror with the object of dealing similar lightning stabs at enemy cities.
 The belief expressed in high quar- ters here is that if Britain could endure the first 10 weeks of ruthless warfare, 1t should win a war.
 Million Volunteers Sought
 The passive air" raid dcfcnses for which Sir Samuel Hoarc made radio appeal on March IA for l. 100000 volunteers, are organized by local authorities throughout the country with substantial financial assistance from the government Volunteers are being enlisted rapid ly as air raid wardens, first aid parties, ambulance drivers, first ald post stafIs, fire brigade reserves auxiliary fire service, rescue parties c-contamination squads and report center staffs. Only mer over 25 oi 90 who would not be drafted for inn mediate military service are trained
 Each air raid warden will be re- Sponsible for several hundred houses or families, for seeing that they re-