On This Day, 8 May 1918

Evening Despatch

Wednesday 8 May 1918

DAY AIR RAIDS

BIRMINGHAM’S SYSTEM OF WARNING.

PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION

WHERE TO SEE SIGNALS ON FRIDAY, 17 MAY.

While there is no immediate ground for apprehension of day air raids in Birmingham, the authorities have thought it wise to institute at the present juncture a system of day warnings owing to the possible extension of the range of enemy aeroplanes in raids.

Arrangements have been made by the Chief Constable, in conjunction with the military authorities, and these will be officially advertised.

NIGHT WARNINGS.

The “Despatch” understands that while no change in the night system is contemplated, it has been decided to give public warnings of daylight raids by the fixing of maroons from a number of police stations, fire stations, and other selected points.

The maroons to be used are those of Cotton Powder Company, and resemble the socket distress signals ordinarily used by distressed mariners.

They are fired from small brass mortars, and give a loud detonation at a height of from 750 feet to 1000 feet.

REDDISH-COLOURED SMOKE.

The type of maroon to be used in Birmingham sets free, after explosion, a reddish-coloured smoke, which is visible in the air for a few minutes.

In order to familiarise the citizens with the system, a public demonstration is to be given on Friday, 17 May, at 12 noon, when two signals will be fired, with an interval of one minute, from the following points –

WHERE TO WATCH.

“A” Division – Upper Priory, Digbeth.

“B” Division – Wellington-road, Ladywood, Stirchley, Selly Oak, Kings, Norton, Harborne, Northfield, Quinton.

“C” Division – Albion-street, Dudley-road, Stafford-road, Kenyon-street, Bridge-street West, Lozelle-road, Holyhead-road, Sandwell.

“D” Division – Erdington, Victoria-road, Lingard-street, Bordesley Green, Washwood Heath, Duke-street, Stechford, Chester-street, Adderly Park, Witton.

“E” Division – Sparkhill, Silver-street (King’s Heath), Moseley-road Fire Station, Hay Mills, Moseley-street, Woodbridge road, Acock’s Green, Small Heath, Brandwood End, Castle Bromwich.

WATCHING FOR THE SMOKE.

The system followed in the demonstration will correspond exactly to the method of warning in the event of an enemy raid by day.

By watching for the smoke the public will be able to distinguish maroon firing from gun firing, and no time should be lost in seeking cover in some building, as there will be extreme danger from falling shrapnel in the streets.

SHELTER.

It is intended to ask householders and owners of all kinds of premises to afford shelter in the event of an enemy attack by bombing aeroplanes to all persons who may be in the streets and in search of cover, and it is hoped that a general response to this request will be forth-coming.

The period for day air raid warnings is half an hour before sunrise until half an hour after sunset.

There is no intention of re-instituting public sound warnings of the approach of enemy aircraft during the night.