Air Raid Precautions ARP, Charleville, Queensland, in Australia during WW2

At a public meeting called by the Mayor of Charleville on 13 September 1939 it was resolved to form an Air Raid Precautions Committee at Charleville consisting of representatives from the Charleville Towns Council, Police, Hospitals Board, Charleville Fire Brigade Board, Charleville Ambulance Committee, schools, business community, the Government Medical Officer and the Mayor. Mr. S. R. Macklin was appointed as Honorary Secretary.

The Committee held a few meetings but went into recession when it was found that the alignment of powers did not include Japan and that the risk of air raids at Charleville was therefore remote. However when Japan entered the war, the committee wasted no time and at a meeting held on 16th December 1941, a Chief Warden and Deputy Chief Warden were appointed. The town of Charleville was divided into zones and a Warden was appointed for each zone. Assistant wardens were also then appointed. In early January 1942 Mr. Homer took over the duties of Secretary from Mr. Macklin.

At the time the A.R.P. committee was formed there was no Air Raids Wardens Act and the public meeting was guided by the speech of the Minister for Health and Home Affairs , Mr. Hanlon, which detailed the precautions taken and the work done in Brisbane.

Charleville Times, Friday 27 February 1942

AIR RAIDS

DEFENSE MEASURES

Necessary Precautions

Air raids, even in areas considered to be in safe zones, are always a possibility, and in such times preparedness should be the watchword of the populace. In the event of raids Charleville residents should note the following instructions and hints:-

The air raid warnings will be sounded on the fire siren and will be a warbling blast, rising and falling in pitch for two minutes.

The "All Clear" signal will be a continuous blast on the fire siren lasting for two minutes.

If you hear the fire siren don't get panicky, as it may be a fire, but if it rises and falls in pitch, go to your slit trench or trench shelter and remain there until the "All Clear" is sounded.

Avoid crowds, if you haven't a slit trench or shelter ready, lie down in any depression, even a street gutter will afford protection from bomb blasts. If you are caught in the open lie down on your stomach, with your hands clasped behind your head, supporting yourself on your elbows, so that your chest is off the ground. Keep our mouth open; the best way is to use a handkerchief or a piece of rag.

Make sure there is water in buckets, tubs, baths, etc., which can be used as an emergency supply should the town supply be damaged.

It is recommended that householders prepare a slit trench for their family. It has been found that a slit trench about four feet deep and two feet wide be built in the form of a V or a right angle - L the length of each arm should be made long enough for the family, allowing two feet 6 inches to three feet for each person. Keep the excavated soil about one foot away from the edge of the trench and deposit it in a heap about a foot high. If your trench is to be dug in the lawn or green surroundings, save the turfs and cover the banks of soil with them. This will make the trenches less noticeable from the air.

INCENDIARY BOMBS

The best way to tackle an incendiary bomb is to use sand, a wooden shovel and a wooden rake.

The Charleville Town Council has deposited heaps of sand at every section of the town. Get a bucket or kerosene tin full and keep it in a convenient place. This sand is for the purpose of dealing with incendiary bombs and this is the way to go about it; Get a long handle shovel and the bucket of sand and approach the bomb, tip three-quarters of the sand on the floor, about two yards from the bomb, leaving one-quarter of the sand in the bucket. Then using the shovel, place the sand from the floor around and on top of the bomb; you can get within two feet of the bomb without difficulty, but don't throw sand on the bomb from a distance as it is likely to spread the fire. Using the wooden rake, rake the bomb on to the shovel and place it in the bucket, the sand in the bucket will prevent the bomb from burning through the bottom, although of course, the sides of the bucket may be damaged. If you place the shovel under the handle of the bucket, the bomb can be carried away to safety.

Do not tackle an incendiary bomb until it has burnt and has started to burn.

Windows are particularly vulnerable to both splinters and bomb blasts. For protection against flying glass it is recommended that the windows be protected. There are many ways of doing this: (1) Taping the windows internally with adhesive tape, the tapes to be not greater than four inches apart vertically and horizontally; (2) mosquito net or old curtain pasted on the inside of the windows. Starch makes a good adhesive; (3) small gauge wire netting tacked on the window frame.

A FEW DO'S AND DON'TS

Don't rush to windows to watch planes approaching or bombs dropping. Go to available shelter at once. Take cover under stairs, tables, etc., as far as possible from windows.

If in streets don't stop when siren sounds, don't stop to watch. If in open lie in gutter or ditch, keep mouth open, lean on elbows to raise your body off ground.

If in train when bombs fall, don't lean out or try to jump out. Get down on floor of your carriage, if possible crawl under seat.

Don't throw buckets of water on incendiary bomb - a fire will spread rapidly. Fill shovel with sand, rake bomb on to it and carry it into the open.

Fifty persons attended the A.R.P Wardens' meeting in Corones' Hall on Friday 23 October 1942. The Chief Warden, Mr. L. G. Homer, chaired the meeting and read three letters which had been received regarding the use of Air Raid Shelters and other matters. The committee was advised "that the shelters at a certain point were for the use of any persons present at the time in the event of a raid."

Mr. Homer introduced Sergeant Allen who had been appointed to take control of A.R.P. duties at Charleville. Sgt. Allen had attended to give the attendees a lecture on The Powers and Duties of the Air Raid Warden. Sgt Allen apologised for the absence of Inspector Smith.

Sgt. Allen dealt with the formation of the Defence organisation in Queensland in 1938 and briefly traced its history. Sgt. Allen then dealt with the powers of Wardens and read sections of the Air Raid Wardens Act of 1939 which gave the Commissioner of Police the power to appoint suitable persons as Wardens. All Wardens had the powers of arrest very much similar to those of the Police. Having said that, Sgt Allen stressed that Wardens should not under any circumstances make an arrest.

Sgt. Allen then gave the definition of an Air Raid Shelter and referred them to breaches of the Air Raid Wardens' Regulations and "The Protection of Persons and Property Order No. 1".

Sgt Allen displayed a map of Charleville showing the various divisions with each under the control of a Divisional Warden. The map showed Warden's posts, first aid and brigade staff locations and would also be used to mark the location of fallen bombs

Sgt. Allen then dealt with actions of Wardens in the event of person being injured, and how to deal with fallen electricity wires. He explained how to operate a hand stirrup pump to fight a fire. He explained the various air raid warning signals and the use of the whistle issued to Wardens.

On Sunday 20 December 1942 an exercise was held at A.R.P. Headquarters. The "site" for the exercise was the building formerly occupied by Charleville Motors at the corner of Wills and Watson Streets. Three "bombs" were lighted and four "patients" with the nature of their "injuries" pinned to their shirts lay on the floor of the building. Chief Warden L. G. Homer sounded the "Air Raid Warning" at headquarters and patrol wardens were dispatched to find the scene of the "raid".

Messengers then raced back with information and the Chief Warden immediately dispatched the "rescue wardens", stirrup pump teams, and first-aid parties. The "bombs" which consisted of oily rags, gave off a great smoke and the scene was typical of what could be expected in an actual raid. The "rescue Wardens" soon had their respective "patients" out of the damage zones and the first-aid parties were quickly at work. The stirrup pump teams dealt with the "bombs" and soon had them under control.

Sgt. Allen introduced Inspector Smith at the end of the exercise, who said he had been greatly impressed with all that he had seen. He congratulated the Wardens.

"A.R.P. Lecture to Wardens, by Sergeant Allen", Charleville Times, Friday, 30 October 1942

"A.R.P. Committee, Resume of Activities", Charleville Times, Thursday 2 April 1942