On the outbreak of hostilities on August 14 the Department undertook the usual duties assigned to it in such emergencies. 3 miles of barbed wire defences and 35 sandbag posts were rapidly erected in 'B' Sector opposite the North Railway Station. 3} miles of barbed wire defences were erected for the British Forces on the Western Sector, and assistance given in the erection of 4 miles for the American Forces. More than 172000 filled sandbags were supplied to the different defence units and civilian institutions. 700 knife rests' and framed concertinas' were also made for defence, and a movable boom provided across the Soochow Creek for the British Forces Emergency dumps for coal and gasoline were provided in the Race Course and elsewhere
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.