Shanghai's record of uerial bombings, tragic as it has been, has produced one extremely valuable result," Firefighting experts have, by practical experience and application of remedial measures, tested methods of combatting fire and destruction under the vastly changed conditions of modern warfare, and the knowledge acquired will be of great importance in developing plans other countries. Two Shanghai fire affeers, Mz, M, W. Pett, former Chief of the Fire Brigade, and Captain J, Gordon Dyson, present Chief, who are now in England, have applied themselves energetically to the problems confronting the Alr Raid Precaution scheme which has been 50 extensively introduced in England and with Ymowledge, not theory, as their background useful contribution has been made. towards this subject of such supreme importance to a country where, it Is stated, no more than five minutes warning can be given to any one district of the approach of enemy alreratt, As the article published by this journal on Wednesday pointed Out, these two officers, to their professional organization at home, used basic facts of Shanghai's experiences to illustrate their points and although their main efforts naturally were directed towards the prevention or minimizing of fire risks the organization of an efficient, personnel under conditions of active service was also stressed in view of its important bearing on the scheme under development in England. On another page there is published today an article by Mr.
J. German, Chief Ameer of the Shanghai Harbour Fire Brigade, who also participated in Shanghai's great emergency for bomb damage and fires had to be fought from land and water fand hig views will be found equally valuable andi instructive, Mr, German mentions, among off things, the question of pumps, the re~ er, st volunteers in any air raid precaution sche, wad also the effects of incendiary bombs, The latter topic ought to produce much useful information for probably the worst air raid on Shanghai was made by Chinese aeroplanes using Incendiary bombs and property damage was extensive, although in one instance an Indian Watchman single-handed was able to extinguish the after-effects of this type of missile falling. on the property where he was employed. Observers who witnessed this raid described the explosions as a series of gigantic Roman candles enveloping in flame everything within radius. Prospects of these terrible methods of destruc tion are not pleasant to discuss but if Shanghai bitter experience is able to produce a counteractive then at least the experience has not been wasted.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.