4th July 1941
CIVIL DEFENCE SERVICES SPEND STRENUOUS NIGHT

The civil defence services of Pontefract spent a strenuous evening on Saturday. It is difficult to imagine what more comprehensive test could be devised of their training and work, than bringing into play all the branches of the service metioned in the report in another column. It may even be an advantage that civilians became involved in the release of tear-gas; if no harm is done, they will know something of what they have to meet. At the same time, the fact that some were involved suggests that the warning given of its use was not enough, whether in time or scope. For the exercises themselves, however, the authorities have expressed warm praise, and the participants will derive some encouragement from it. A great deal of encouragement also will be forthcoming from the tribute to such workers paid by the Prime Minister himself on Monday. While he credited the Royal Air Force with the defeat of Hitler's invasion plans, he gave to the civil defence services much of the glory in winning the Battle of Britain, so far has it had been won. In more than four months of continuous bombing of London, he said, all would have failed without the courage, the unconquerable grit, and the stamina of Londoner's; and when the raiders turned upon other parts of the country, although there were fears that the weight of attack, concentrated on the smaller centres, would prove more effective than it had done on London, ''the staunchness and vigour of London was fully matched by the splendid behaviour of our ports and cities.''

Those who heard the Prime Minister may recall the apparently studied emphasis he laid on the words ''fully matched.'' People in the North might be tempted to think that, as an old Member of Parliament for one of their constituencies, he would have said more, except for a possible reflection on London! But in contributing to the behaviour which the Prime Minister found so inspiring, there can be no question that the work of the civil defence services played a great part in the confidence it imparted to the population, and the response it gave to the attack. The same work, pursued and perfected by such exercises as that in Pontefract on Saturday, will give more confidence in looking to the coming winter, and in taking to heart the warning by the Prime Minister.

1941 INDEX