Evening star., 1943-02-17
Data on New Afraid System
Uniform Plan Effective Over Eastern
Seoboord, Including D. c., Tonight

The tollo'Dinq questions and
dnSrers oiUe some pertinent facts
ABOUT the neiO AFRAID 1Udrninq
signals and blackout regulations
issued BY the Eastern Defense
Command for the Eastern Mill
tdry Area
@ Why is no audible all clear
White signal specified?
A. Due to the mechanical limita-
tlons of noise making equipment
and the fact that such warning
equipment is not uniform through
out all the communities. Sirens, for
illustration. can make only two
sounds that are clearly distinguish
able-the steady even note and the
f1uctuating or wailing note. One of
these must be used for blackout
and mobilization of civilian defense
workers, which is the blue" signal,
and the other must be reserved for
the air raid red" signal when total
blackOut is effected, traffic stops
and the public takes shelter. 1t is
important to reserve these two
clearly distinguishable signals for
the two most important warnings.
This desire outWeighs any incon-
Venlence resulting from a nOn-
audible all clear signal.
Q. Why IS the signal system not
based on scheme of time interval
between signals or on a definite
sequence of signals?
A. Such systems are impractic-
able. The enemy will not conform
to them-he will endeavor to gain
surprise. No detection system is
perfect. Consequently the system
adopted must be sufficiently flexible
to meet any action that the enemy
may take. Our first information of
and air raid may demand a red"
signal, as time will not be available
for a blue" We must be prepared
to meet any conditions and avoid
impractical rigid signal rules or
systems.
Q. Does the requirement that
civilian defense forces mobilize or
remain modified operate to vest
control thereof in the military
commander and to deprive the local
commander of the Citizens Defense
Corps of his authority?
A. No. The local commander has
full authority and discretion over his
forces as heretofore.
@. If I were guest in home and
the host and his family were to
leave the premises, would I be re-
sponsible for extinguishing lights
during an air raid alarm, even if
did not expressly assume such re-
sponsibility?
A. Yes. You would be classed as a
person in control of lighting under
the provisions of the regulations.
Q. Is the use of automobile black
out equipment now prohibited for
motor vehicles?
A. Yes. Until approved equipment
is available for general distribution,
it cannot safely be used.
@. Is there any difference between
period of blackout and a period of
air raid?
A. Yes. The period of air raid is
the period beginning with the air
raid (red) signal and ending with
the blackout (blue) signal, while the
period Of blackout includes all that
time from the first audible warning
signal to the all-clear (white) signal
or until dawn if no all-clear (white)
signal is given. 1t is expected that.
normally the ,1eriod of hIocko,It will
precede, include and follow a period
of air raid.
@. To whom is the confidential
yellow" signal sent?
A. 1t will be transmitted by
civilian defense authorities Of the
warning district only to those key
persons, essential industries, rail-
roads, and places located therein,
which, in the opinion of such civilian