Cigarette Cards
Air Raid Precautions 1938
REMOVAL OF INCENDIARY BOMB WITH SCOOP AND HOE. The long-handled scoop illustrated is necessary in dealing with incendiary bombs. It is made in two sections, the scoop on one end and the hoe on the other, and when joined together is 7 ft. long. In the picture it is separated, the hoe being used to draw the bomb into the scoop which is made strong enough to withstand the heat of a burning bomb. Further instructions on the method of dealing with these bombs are given on Cards Nos. 13, 14, 15 and 17. (No.16)
EXTINCTION OF INCENDIARY BOMB. (Transferring the Bomb to the Redhill Container). In addition to this card, the method of dealing with incendiary bombs is described on Cards Nos. 13 to 16. The burning bomb is here being transferred from the scoop into the Redhill container, which can then be carried out of the house. The container is made strong enough to hold a burning magnesium bomb indefinitely, and is so designed that the heat of the bomb will not injure the hand of the person by whom it is carried. (No.17)
THE STIRRUP HAND PUMP. with a short length of hose is a most useful and inexpensive appliance for dealing with fires in their early stages. It can be worked from any available household water supply, e.g. a bath or a bucket. The length of hose enables the person directing the stream of water to approach close to the seat of the fire. This hand pump requires practically no attention when not in use, and is useful for other household purposes such as washing down a car, cleaning windows or watering the garden. (No.18)
TWO-MEN PORTABLE MANUAL FIRE-PUMP IN ACTION. A portable fire-pump which can be operated by two persons by means of a specially designed handle is a useful appliance for dealing with small fires. The portable canvas tank from which a pump of this kind can draw water is easily replenished from any domestic water supply, such as a bath or tap. A sufficient length of hose should be available with the pump to enable the fire party to enter a building and approach the seat of the fire with the jet. (No.19)
A CHAIN OF BUCKETS. When using a hand pump, it is necessary to have a ready supply of water which can be contained in any convenient receptacle. In the illustration, a small canvas dam is being used and kept full by a chain of persons passing filled buckets from hand to hand, others returning the empty buckets to the source of supply. The illustration shows a small hand pump in use; water is being taken from the canvas dam and a line of hose led into a building on fire. (No.20)
LIGHT TRAILER FIRE-PUMP. Under Fire Precaution schemes, the Home Office is issuing to many local authorities light trailer fire-pumps of the type illustrated. This pump has the great advantage of being very easily manoeuvred; not only can it be towed behind any motor car, but it is also light enough to be man-handled. It is capable of delivering two useful fire-fighting streams of water, and can deliver 120 gallons per minute at a pressure of 80 lb. to the square inch. The pump unit can be unshipped from its chassis and carried to any convenient position where water is available. (No.21)
LIGHT TRAILER FIRE-PUMP IN ACTION. Air Raid Precautions schemes will include ample provision for emergency fire-fighting. The Home Office is issuing to many local authorities light trailer fire-pumps, described on Card No. 21. The pump is here shown in action; it has been unshipped from the chassis on which it is usually carried for towing purposes, and is taking a supply of water from a garden pond, to which it has been carried by hand. The light trailer fire-pump can also work from a street mains supply, and is capable of delivering two useful fire-fighting streams of water. (No.22)
MEDIUM TRAILER FIRE-PUMP. Medium trailer motor fire-pumps will be an important feature in emergency fire-brigade measures. These pumps are towed behind private cars or commercial vans (in which the firemen and additional fire-fighting gear may be carried), and can be man-handled over rough ground or debris impassable to ordinary fire-engines or motor cars. A pump of this type will give four good fire-fighting streams of water at high pressure. (No.23)
MEDIUM TRAILER FIRE-PUMP IN ACTION. Any scheme of Air Raid Precautions must include the provision of a great number of special fire-fighting appliances. Pumping units of the type illustrated will be required in large numbers for use under air raid conditions. They are specially designed for trailing behind motor cars or light lorries. Crews of 4 or 5 trained firemen are required to man these fire-pumps, which are capable of delivering two or more streams of water at high pressure on to a fire. (No.24)
EMERGENCY HEAVY PUMP UNIT. The illustration shows a high-powered emergency fire-pump, carrying a telescopic ladder. This unit, which has been designed by the Home Office, is capable of delivering over 1,000 gallons of water a minute at high pressure, and is able to supply a number of good fire-fighting streams. There is accommodation on the unit for both crew and necessary fire-fighting gear. The chassis on which the pump is mounted is extremely mobile, and can be manoeuvred in a very small space. (No.25)
HOSE-LAYING LORRY. For laying long lines of delivery hose, such as may be necessary at large fires for the purpose of utilizing distant water supplies, a special motor appliance is used. The lengths of hose contained in the appliance are joined together and specially packed as shown in the illustration, so that they pay out in one or more continuous lines as the appliance is driven ahead. Other fire-fighting appliances designed for use in Fire Precautions schemes are illustrated and described on Cards Nos. 18 to 25. (No.26)
THE CIVILIAN RESPIRATOR consists of a face-piece, to which is attached by means of a rubber band a metal box containing filters which will absorb all known war gases. The face-piece is held in position by means of web straps fitting round the head. When the respirator is properly fitted and the straps adjusted, it completely protects the eyes, nose, mouth and lungs. The strap should be pinned at the right tension, so that the respirator can be slipped on in an instant. This respirator will be issued free to the public. (No.27)
THE CIVILIAN RESPIRATOR - HOW TO ADJUST IT. Great care must be taken to see that the respirator is correctly fitted and adjusted, in order that a supply of pure air, quite free from gas, is ensured for breathing. The respirator is made so that it fits closely round the face, and is provided with adjustable straps to hold it in the correct position. It is important that the respirator be tried on and the straps properly adjusted to the requirements of the wearer (see picture), so that it may be put on at a moment's notice. (See also Cards Nos. 27 and 29). (No.28)
THE CIVILIAN RESPIRATOR - HOW TO REMOVE IT. The picture shows the RIGHT way to take off a Civilian Respirator. This should be done by slipping the head harness forward from the back of the head. It is important that the respirator should be taken off in this way. The WRONG way to take it off is by taking hold of the metal box containing the filters and pulling the face-piece off the chin. By this method there is a danger of bending and cracking the transparent window. If this window is cracked, the respirator is useless. (No.29)
THE CIVILIAN DUTY RESPIRATOR is of stronger construction than the Civilian Respirator (illustrated and described on Cards Nos. 27, 28 and 29) and is intended for those who might have to work in the presence of gas and could not go to a gas-protected refuge room. The respirator protects the eyes, nose, mouth and lungs against all known war gases. The face-piece is of moulded rubber, and the eye-pieces are of strong glass. There is an outlet valve opposite the nose; the protuberance at the side of the face-piece can be used to fit a microphone for speaking on the telephone. (No.30)
THE SERVICE RESPIRATOR is designed for the fighting services. It will also be used by members of those civil Air Raid Precautions services who might have strenuous duties to perform in heavy gas concentrations. This respirator gives the same protection as the Civilian Respirator (illustrated and described on Cards Nos. 27, 28 and 29) but for a longer period. It is designed so that the weight of the container portion is carried in the haversack on the chest, and the special face-piece allows heavy and accurate work to be performed without difficulty. (No.31)
A HEAVY ANTI-GAS SUIT. The illustration shows members of a Decontamination Squad in oilskin suits, rubber boots and respirators; a hood is also worn, but this is not shown in the picture. This equipment will give complete protection against the liquid or vapour of mustard or other persistent gases. It is essential to have squads of men trained to work in this equipment so that they can deal with and effectually neutralize any contamination which may have taken place.Owing to the fact that no air can get into the suits, men cannot work in them for very long periods of time. (No.32)
RUBBER CLOTHING. During an air raid the safety of the citizen may depend to a considerable extent on his knowledge of how to behave. Splashings from the liquid liberated from certain gas-bombs, or subsequent contact with it, produce a serious blistering of the skin. The Government provides each individual with a respirator which is complete protection for the eyes, throat and lungs. Prudent persons, if forced to go out of doors during raids, should provide themselves, in addition, with rubber or oilskin coats and hats, and rubber boots. (No. 33)
AIR RAID WARDENS AND CIVILIAN VOLUNTEER DESPATCH RIDER. Air raid wardens are volunteers enrolled by the local authority. They are specially trained to advise their fellow citizens on Air Raid Precautions and to act as reporting agents of bomb damage. In the event of an air raid, they would be stationed at "warden's posts," perhaps a quarter of a mile apart, or less. The picture shows wardens handing reports to a volunteer despatch-rider. All wear steel helmets and Civilian Duty Respirators (illustrated and described on Card No. 30). The wardens are also wearing armlets. Note the shading device on the lamp of the motor cycle. (No.34)
VOLUNTEER MOBILE CORPS (OWNER DRIVERS). Patriotic owners of private cars throughout the country have offered their services and their cars free to local authorities engaged in schemes of Air Raid Precautions. Such action has materially helped in providing the necessary transport required for Air Raid Precautions services in many towns and urban districts. This picture shows the drivers of some fifty cars running to their vehicles during a practice alarm at a well-known seaside resort. From their place of assembly, these cars were driven to various strategic points in the town, including the Fire Stations and Police Stations, whence their services were utilized as required, in accordance with a pre-arranged plan. (No.35)
A FIRST AID PARTY. The picture shows the four members of a first aid party running with a stretcher to a place where casualties have occurred. As gas has been used, they are wearing a light suit of protective clothing, with gum boots and Service Respirators (illustrated and described on Card No. 31). The scheme of Air Raid Precautions provides for the establishment of first aid posts in large numbers, so that they will be within easy access of any casualty. Such posts will be equipped to deal with minor injuries and casualties due to non-persistent gases. (No.36)