The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-09-30
THE INcENDIARY BOMB

This article Is Number 5 in a series of ten prepared py Ille State Defense Council on the au, ties and activities of Air Eaio WardenS.
 Newspaper and magazine conl- ment has pointed out the ul- hanny situation Japan would pc in if an enemy gave 1t a shower of incendiary bombs. Its houses are perfectly designed in form and materials to go up in a nasn of flame. Many of our reaoeIS will be surprised, however, to know that, from house material standpoint, America ranks next in yulnerability to Japan. our frame buildings, even the Hial construction within most or our faciories and the inside structure nf many of our city blocks, are hichly combustible and offer a se- ductiye target to the fire-hungry attack of an incendiary bomb.
 There are various types of in- cendiary-from the phosphorous- celluioid "visiting card" used oy inc British and the tricky and treacherous fountain pen" ingen- iously designed by the Germans to start fires by delayed action to the phosgene type of self-ig" niters and, worst of all, the so- called "thermite' bomb or It's close relative which depends upon the Ignition of magnesium to ere ate an almost ulcontrollaole source of conhagratton. our ar ticle will consider this magnesium type of incendiary bomb.
 Watch Your Attic
 Usually 1t weighs 6 little over two pounds. This weight is suf- ficient, when dropped from the usual height of not over 10000 feet, to enable 1t to penetrate the ordinary type of roof-whether wood, slate, tile. or sheet metal. Its eventual lodgment in on a floor, either in the top story or a floor below. Falling usually at slant, due to the speeding velocity of the airplane carrier, 1t may penetate e building through the wall or window. The impact ac- tuates 6 fuse that ignites q quick burning compuond, as thermite, which witfi ntwo or three min. utes generates a temperature around 4b00 degrees Fahrenheit, more than a sufficient heat to ig- nite the magnesium body of the bomb. Then "the game is oIi." The magnesium compound sup- plies sufilcient oxygen for com- bustion, burns at an intense super and thus induces conl- bustion of surrounding material of infiamYnable characteristic usual attic is full of it--and lasts for ten or more minutes. By the time 1t is through, if left undis- tlirbed, 1t has started a major eonfiagration. If, however, 1t is attacked within the first four or Eve minutes of its burning, the 1ncipient conflagration may be controlled and even prevented en- tirely. It is a case, clearly, where "a stitch in time save nine" or even ninety and nine. It thus becomes the warden's duty to in struct houlseholders not only in the technique of handling these incendiaries but also, and even more importantly, in the proper conditioning of their attics to re- sist or at least impede the ignit- ing effects of the bomb.
 This is a matter for special methods. The magnesium bomb does not respond to the ordinary methods of fire fighting. Water does not quench it. Tn fact, a bucketfull of water would serve only to increase its fury, explode and scatter its flaming body, and thus make a bad matter worse. The ordinary cooling agencies are inadequate for the high tempera- lures generated by thee bomb. Possessing its own oxygen for combustion, it cannot be choked out by the ordinary extinguishers. There are certain materials sand, tale, and especially a pro- prietary powde now coming on the rnarket-which do have a controlling influence on the bomb. It is the warden,s duty to know about these. to acquaint himself with their properties and meth ods of handling and the sources og supply, and to extend such in- akruction to the houses within hls area of protection.
 Handling Technique
 m England, the technique of handlIng such bomhs has reached high level of efficiency. They have ceased to be 6 major prob- lem in British air raid protection. I.n.s.uaaanm AanAf