Milford chronicle., 1942-05-15
LOUer Counties Dark
HGIf-HOur In Test
CONTINUED from first Page,


could spot between % and 30 scat
tered lights in the FELTON, area and
at about the same time a telephone
report was received from the air
raid warden in that area annOunc-
ing the area totally black. Civilian
defense officials reasoned that the
lights apparently were visible only
from the air. A few lights were also
reported east of Smyrna.
Only two willful violations were
reported in the entire two-county
area. At Dover air raid wardens
said that two motorists refused to
stop and put out their lights. Their
| license numbers were turned in to
authorities for prosecution.
Governor Walter w. Bacon, who
headed civilian defense officials at
the Dover state police station, pro-
nounced the test the best yet at
tempted"
1T was the blacklist l have ever
seen. Each succeeding test points
out defects that are corrected and
produces better results" he COM
mented.
Others gathered at the police sta
tion were: Colonel George Ruhlen,
commandant at Fort DUPONT and
director of the Delaware Military
District; Secretary of State Earle
D. Wiley. acting Superintendent of
Police Robert p. Elderkin, and Col
onel John P. LeFevre, Kent county
Civilian Defense Coordinator.
Mayor WOOdfOrd Observes
Mayor j. Wallace Woodford of
Dover, another Kent county coordi-
nator. drove about the Dover area
in an automobile during the test.
Chief Air Raid Warden Benjamin
F. Courtright said that the Dover
city area blacked out within few
moments. He observed only few
violations.
Charles w. Hardesty, another
chief air raid warden, said that
more than 80 per cent of the air
raid wardens and messengers were
on duty a few moments after the
siren and whistle first sounded. A
later check proved those who did
not report were away from home at
the time.
Motorists Comply
Lieutenant Charles Knox of the
state police, in charge of traffic in
Sussex county during the blackout,
said that no violations had been
reported to him, adding that in the
first countrywide test violations by
were numerous.
In Milford total darkness was de-
layed a few minutes when four or
five street lights in one section fail
ed to go out when the switch was
thrown at the power house. The
trouble was shortly remedied. how
ever and observers reported that
no lights were then visible.
From Rehoboth Beach Colonel |
Edgar V. Slayer, assistant coordi- /
nator, notified authorities that the .
resort was blacked out as soon as
the alarm was sounded. He said no /
lights were visible along the coast
line north and south of Rehoboth.
Lewes, Colonel Herald Britting-
ham said, was 100 per cent" per-
feet.
Bombs Add Realism
In several Sussex towns. includ-
ing Milford. touch of realism was
added when half-strength incendi-
airy bombs were set off. These were
promptly doused by auxiliary and |
regular firemen.
Railroad trains travelling with |
hooded headlights, were the only
traffic during the blacked-out belt |
with shades drawn. Only block sig
nails, which were kept Illuminated |
to protect the trains, showed along
the right-of-ways.
In Milford civilian defense lead
ers held forum" Immediately af-
ter the all-clear restored normal
nighttime illumination. Reports
from heads of all units were graft
flying, officials stated All defense
units operated during the half hour
of darkness as though an actual
raid was in progress. Auxiliary and
regular firemen raced to bomb-ig-
nited fires" First aid and ambu-
lance crews treated victims" of
bomb splinters and falling debris.