http://boar.org.uk/ariwxo3LSCInstP4.htm
Latest edit 4 Oct 2009.
Interactive
version ©2009 R.J.PENHEY
The Bourne Archive
Warfare
County Constabulary
Headquarters,
6th. April, 1943.
INSTRUCTIONAL
PAMPHLET NO. 4
1. DUTY DURING DOUBLE SUMMER
TIME
Officers of the special
constabulary in rural districts are asked to revise their rosters so that
special constables can take advantage of the daylight hours to perform less
duty and to give more time to the production of food. 1 It is pointed out, however, that a similar
degree of latitude regarding the reduction of hours of duty in towns will not
be possible on account of the demands being made on police man power.
2. DRESS DURING DOUBLE SUMMER TIME
Occasions may arise when it will
be too warm to wear mackintosh coats in the summer, and, on such occasions,
those special constables who have not been provided with a full uniform will,
when on duty, wear the armlet plate and lapel badge with their civilian
clothing.
Those who are issued with a full
uniform must, of course, continue to wear it throughout the year, when on duty,
unless they receive instructions to the contrary.
3. HANDLAMPS
During the summer months, all
special constables are requested to take the batteries out of their handlamps,
when they are not in use, in order to avoid corrosion of the cases.
4. CONVALESCENT
FACILITIES FOR SPECIAL CONSTABLES 2
The Red Cross Society are
providing convalescent facilities for all civil defence workers, including
special constables, police auxiliaries and police messengers. The accommodation
is free, and is suitable for personnel recovering from illness, operation,
nervous debility, or those who are run-down and can be saved from more serious
disability.
Special attention will be paid to
anyone who is in a thoroughly run-down condition and is not under the care of a doctor. Special constables may be in need
of restoration to full fitness as a result of illness or injury (not
necessarily incurred on duty nor as a direct effect of enemy action) or they
may be in need of a change to prevent break-down or illness ; in such cases, if
their doctor concurs, they should apply. The Red Cross Society point out that
prevention is better and less costly in wasted time and health.
Applications must be submitted
through Superintendents to the Chief Constable, and a special medical
certificate has been printed by the Red Cross Society for this purpose, which
will be forwarded on application.
Patients who should be in hospital,
or who are recovering from an illness which still necessitates long periods in
bed, or continuing nursing, cannot be accepted.
For special constables and male
auxiliaries who receive war injuries the Northern Police Convalescent Home at
Harrogate has been included in the
5. AMENDMENTS TO THE
LIGHTING ORDER BICYCLE LAMPS AND CART LAMPS 3
Sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph 19 of the Lighting
(Restrictions) Order has been amended, and the whole of the new paragraph 19 is,
therefore, printed hereunder for the information of special constables.
19. An authorised bicycle lamp or an authorised cart lamp is a lamp of
a power not exceeding 7 watts, emitting a white light to the front of the
vehicle and satisfying the following conditions:-
(a) that the upper half of the
front glass and the whole of any side or rear panels are completely obscured ;
and
(b) in the case of a bicycle
lamp either that the lower half of any reflector is painted with matt black
paint or otherwise rendered ineffective, or alternatively that all parts of the
inner surface of the lamp on which light from the lamp falls, except the lower
half of the inner surface of the front glass, are matt white.
(c) in the case of a cart
lamp, that the lower half of any reflector is painted with matt black paint or
otherwise rendered ineffective.
6. COLLECTION OF BOMB FRAGMENTS
It is of great importance that
bomb fragments in the vicinity of any incident, whether in an open field, village
or town, should be collected and handed over to the Reserves Sergeants. They
are needed as material evidence to establish the exact size and weight of each
bomb that has been dropped. The police have to compile certain reports in
regard to the damage and nature of every single incident, and, if their
statements are supported by the production of fragments, the value of the
reports are considerably increased.
7.
PRECAUTION AGAINST GERMAN 1Kg.
ANTI-PERSONNEL BOMB
Quite recently, this type of bomb
was dropped in several Regions, and some of the unexploded specimens were found
to be fitted with a fuse which renders them liable to detonate at the slightest
touch, and causes the bomb to remain sensitive to vibration for an indefinite
period. The precautions taken must, therefore, cover the possibility of such
bombs being fitted with any one of the following types of fuse:-
(a)
an impact type fuse which will cause the bomb to detonate at once of,
if defective, render it liable to detonate when interfered with ;
(b)
a delay action fuse which may cause detonation up to about 30 minutes
after impact, or, if defective, some hours later ;
(c)
a fuse which though not detonating on impact will remain thereafter
highly sensitive to touch or vibration for an indefinite period.
There is no change in the
appearance of these bombs except that some of them are painted yellow instead
of greyish green.
Whenever bombs of this type are
found, a careful search must be made for unexploded specimens which, in soft
ground, often bury themselves leaving the propeller attachment flush with the
earth. A point to remember is that they are dropped in groups which are
normally multiples of 23. The precautions to be taken must vary according to
the position of the bomb. A sand bag or other enclosure should be built only
where there is risk of injury to the public ; the greatest care being taken to
avoid vibration or touching the bomb. These instructions should be read in
conjunction with those given in item No 2 of Pamphlet No. 1.
8.
THE GERMAN EXPLOSIVE I.B.
(i) The Germans are believed to have
prepared a modified design of the I.B.E.N. in which the explosive nose (E.N.)
and the incendiary bomb (I.B.) are deliberately blown some distance apart by a
small explosive charge, immediately after arrival. The new incendiary bomb will
be known as the I.B.S.E.N. (incendiary bomb with separating explosive nose).
(ii) The interval between impact and
detonation of the nose of the I.B.S.E.N. will probably be about the same as the
I.B.E.N., but the lower time limit will possibly be reduced to half a minute.
The weight of the explosive nose and its explosive charge will probably be less
than in the I.B.E.N. The following points should, therefore, be kept in mind if
the new bomb is used :-
(a)
the bomb should not have any greater penetrating powers than the
present I.B.E.N. ; and
(b)
it should be recognizable by a flash and explosion immediately after
arrival. This explosion will be far less violent than the detonation of the
explosive nose and must not, therefore, be mistaken for the detonation of the
nose.
(iii) In most buildings no change
will be necessary in the present procedure of evacuating an occupied room in
which an I.B.E.N. or I.B.S.E.N. has fallen and of discharging water from a
stirrup pump (or tin can and bucket) from behind cover, unless some new feature
should become evident when the bomb comes to be used. There may, however, be
occasions when it will be impossible to evacuate the room, e.g., hospital
wards, first-aid posts and similar places. Such cases will call for immediate
and drastic action on the part of individuals if loss of life is to be avoided,
notwithstanding the risk involved to the person carrying out this action. The
action to be taken will depend very largely on circumstances, but every
endeavour should be made to pick up the bomb or explosive portion, if it has
become detached, and to remove it to a place where it can explode without
endangering life. (The explosive nose
does not become too hot to hold for at least two minutes). Where, owing to the
layout of the building, there is no place of safety immediately outside the
room in which the bomb has fallen, it may be possible to construct several pits
or pens in which to place the bomb, the pens being constructed of brickwork,
sandbags, or other suitable material and situated in the corners of alongside
the wall of the room. The prospects of the successful picking up and removal of
the missile will depend largely on prior preparation and training. Personnel
should know exactly what to do and where to put the bomb.
Where the procedure described
above is impracticable, and alternative but not so effective method of dealing
with the bomb in such circumstances would be to place a sandmat on the
explosive nose in order to reduce the number and range of fragments projected by
the explosion. It must be appreciated however that the placing of a sandmat on
an explosive bomb does not entirely eliminate the danger from fragments and it
will have the effect of driving the explosive nose on detonation downwards
through to the floor below. This method should therefore be adopted as a last
resort and then only in situations, e.g., on ground floors or upper floors of
substantial thickness, where the danger from fragmentation and downward
explosion can be confined to the room in which the bomb has fallen.
(iv) In the open where the bomb is
likely to endanger personnel engaged on vital operations, those persons
remaining at work should take all possible cover. If the explosive nose can be
immediately located it may be possible to throw it behind a wall or into a hole
or deep gutter which will give some protection.
(v) The only modifications to
existing instructions on how to deal with incendiary bombs are those indicated
in paragraphs (iii) and (iv) above, which relate to the action to be taken in
certain special circumstances.
9.
REPORTING OF AIRCRAFT CRASHES
Several special constables have
done good work recently, whilst pursuing their normal agricultural work, in
giving the police prompt and early information of aircraft crashes. This information
is of great importance. It would be of great assistance, and a means of saving
much time and expense, if special constable, at the time of reporting could
give the following particulars in the order set out hereunder :-
(a) The accurate location of the crash.
(b) The damage or otherwise to the machine.
(c) The type of aircraft, if possible, whether enemy or allied and
the number.
(d) The time of crash (24 hour clock).
(e) The condition of the crew or passengers.
(f) The R.A.F. Station to which the aircraft belongs.
(g) Details of the R.A.F. Unit which has taken charge, is guarding
or has given instructions about the incident.
(h) Details of military unit guarding the crash.
Remarks.
Any other matters of interest should be included at the end of the report, such
as road blockages, the presence of unexploded bombs or the name of the hospital
to which injured have been removed. In the case of enemy planes is should be
stated whether all the crew are accounted for or not.
These particulars should always be
sent in the above order, and as concisely as possible. The following is an
example of a proper report.
CRASHED AIRCRAFT REPORT
(a)
Ό mile N.W. of Scamswell Church.
(b)
Completely wrecked.
(c)
(d)
21.00hrs., 22nd January.
(e)
2 killed, 1 injured, remainder unhurt.
(f)
Scamswell R.A.F. Station.
(g)
R.A.F. Regiment, Scamswell.
(h)
The names of the crew are not
required.
If any of the particulars are
unobtainable, this should be indicated by the words not known.
GROUNDED BARRAGE BALOONS 4
Revised instructions have recently
been received from the Home Office regarding the action to be taken by the
police in case of grounded barrage balloons, and they are appended hereunder
for the information and attention of all special constables :-
(1) The public have been informed that they should
notify the police if they see a barrage balloon grounded near at hand. If the
police themselves observe a grounded balloon, or receive what appears to be
reliable information from a member of the public, they should :-
(a)
notify the nearest R.A.F. Station of the position of the balloon ;
(b)
provide a guard to take charge of the balloon until the arrival of a
R.A.F. party ;
(c)
prevent unauthorised persons from handling the balloon or the cable ;
and
(d)
stop smoking in the vicinity.
(2) If it becomes necessary for the
police to tie down a grounded balloon, pending the arrival of a R.A.F. party,
certain precautions must be taken on account of a lethal device contained on
the cable.
(a)
Pull the red ripcord hanging from the forward right-hand side of the
balloon envelope. A pull of about 40 lb. is required to rip the panel allowing
hydrogen to escape. It should be borne in mind, however, that the release of
hydrogen from a balloon is dangerous if the direction of the wind is such that
the gas, before having time to disperse would be blown into contact with a
pylon or other part of a high tension grid system, or with any naked light such
as may be found on a street lighting standard.
(b)
Weights should be attached to the rope lines, and sandbags, sand or
earth put onto the deflated balloon to stop wind from getting underneath it. On
no account must the cable be used for this purpose.
(c)
One or more lethal devices, contained in a black bag, may be attached
to the balloon cable by cylindrical metal fittings. This apparatus may be
operated by a jerk on the cable ant the latter should, therefore, be handled
with great care.
(d)
In the case of small balloons flying on piano wire or similar light
cable, lethal devices may be found suspended from the flying wire. These
devices are safe to handle provided they are not dropped of jerked. To render
the balloon safe, the devices which are painted YELLOW and are cylindrical in
shape, should be removed by cutting the flying wire with wire cutters at points
approximately 12 inches each side of the device, which should then be removed
and kept in a safe place and pending the arrival of a R.A.F. disposal party.
When cutting the wire care should be taken that the device is not jerked or
dropped.
(3) In the event of a balloon being in
contact with an overhead electric line the police should communicate with the
electricity undertakers with a view to insuring that the line is dead before
the balloon or the cable is handled.
(4) If it is apparent that the balloon
is of other than British origin, it should not be deflated if it can be
properly secured unless it is considered that it would be dangerous if it
remained inflated.
(5) The reporting to the R.A.F. of
drifting balloons is unnecessary.
10.
NOTES ON POLICE WORK
(a) Records of Occurrences
A police report of an occurrence
loses a great deal of its value if the time at which it took place is not
given, and special constables should cultivate the habit of noting the time
when they are recording occurrences witnessed by, or reported to, them.
When an occurrence of sufficient
importance to be recorded is witnessed by a special constable personally, the
time should be the first entry made in the pocket book.
When a report of an occurrence is
received by a special constable from another person, he should in addition to
noting the time, record that persons name and address. If the matter is
urgent, there may not be time to take a statement but, if the informants name
and address is recorded, a statement can be taken from him later. Similarly,
names and addresses of witnesses should be obtained and recorded so that they
can be traced later if necessary.
It is not always possible to take
statements from several witnesses at the scene of an incident and, if their
names and addresses are not noted, valuable evidence or information may be
lost.
The state of the weather may be
important, e.g., local fog or rain may be the cause of a road accident.
The place where the statement is
taken from anyone should be indicated in the report.
The important points to remember
are :- Time, place, names and addresses.
(b) Punctuality
The objects of the Conference
Point system are (1) to ensure that a certain area is patrolled by police, and
(2) to enable a senior officer or the regular police to make contact with
special constables, if there services are required elsewhere after they have
commenced patrol. The necessity for punctuality is therefore, obvious.
(c) Dog Licences
In some cases special constables
are helping rural beat officers with the annual check on dog licences, and it
is thought that the following notes on the law relating to dogs may be found helpful.
The cost of a dog licence is 7s. 6d. ; it is obtainable at most Post Offices,
and expires on 31st December in each year. A licence is not required
for a dog under the age of 6 months and, in the case of hounds entered in a
pack of hounds, the age is extended to 12 months. Nor is a licence required in
the case of a dog kept and used solely by a blind person for his or her guidance.
On application to a
This exemption does not extend to
butchers, cattle salesmen and drovers who use dogs in their respective
branches, or to dairymen who use dogs merely for taking cattle to or from
grazing lands.
In each year the County Council
supply the police with a list of persons who have not renewed their licences.
Normally, these are sent out in January, but in Lindsey, owing to pressure of
work, they will not be completed until May. A period of 21 days grace is
usually allowed for renewal of licences.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SERVICE 5
(a)
Proceedings originated by Special
Constables
|
Division |
Clee- thorpes |
Gains- borough |
Louth |
|
Skegness |
Sleaford |
|
Spalding |
TOTAL |
|
Proceedings under the Lighting Order |
7 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
31 |
3 |
4 |
56 |
|
Other Statutory Proceedings |
8 |
19 |
1 |
1 |
- |
5 |
15 |
- |
49 |
(b)
Other Duties Performed
The special constables in Louth
Division assisted the regular police in a military exercise known as an Escape
Scheme, and 25 men were recaptured. The special constables of the Grimoldby
section assisted the police in an exercise organised by the R.A.F. on the 15th
March. The special constables of the Donington-on-Bain, Stenigot, Withcall and
Scamblesby beats assisted the regular police in connection with a military
exercise in which parachute troops were used.
On Saturday, 7th March,
the special constables of Friskney and Wainfleet beats took part in an
exercise.
The special constables in the
Sleaford Division took part in a military exercise similar to that in the Louth
Division, and 25 men were accounted for in the Billinghay section. The North
and East sections of the Stamford Borough special constables took part in a
night exercise.
Some special constables in the
Carrington and Frithville beats per formed good work in accurately reporting
the position of, and guarding, an aircraft which crashed at Frithbank,
Frithville, on 11th February, 1943.
(c)
Commendations
The following special constables
have been thanked for their services :-
Special Constable A. K. Meilke of
the Sleaford Division, for his courageous work in assisting to extricate and
injured member of the crew of a
Special Constable James Myers of
Spalding Division, for his good work in rescuing the pilot from an aircraft
which crashed and overturned at Deeping St. Nicholas on the 12th
March, 1943.
Special Constable G. Oldfield of
the Gainsborough Division, for his courageous work in assisting to extricate
the rear gunner from an aircraft which crashed and caught fire at
Sturton-by-Stow on 12 February, 1943.
BLACK-OUT AND LIGHTING-UP TIMES
Black-Out Times
|
Date |
a.m. |
p.m. |
Date |
a.m. |
p.m. |
|
1st May |
5.59 |
10.00 |
17th May |
5.15 |
10.42 |
|
2nd
|
5.42 |
10.17 |
18th
|
5.13 |
10.44 |
|
3rd
|
5.40 |
10.19 |
19th
|
5.12 |
10.46 |
|
4th
|
5.38 |
10.21 |
20th
|
5.10 |
10.47 |
|
5th
|
5.36 |
10.22 |
21st
|
5.09 |
10.49 |
|
6th
|
5.34 |
10.24 |
22nd
|
5.07 |
10.51 |
|
7th
|
5.32 |
10.26 |
23rd
|
5.06 |
10.52 |
|
8th
|
5.30 |
10.27 |
24th
|
5.04 |
10.53 |
|
9th
|
5.29 |
10.29 |
25th
|
5.03 |
10.55 |
|
10th
|
5.27 |
10.31 |
26th
|
5.02 |
10.56 |
|
11th
|
5.25 |
10.33 |
27th
|
5.01 |
10.57 |
|
12th
|
5.23 |
10.35 |
28th
|
5.00 |
10.59 |
|
13th
|
5.21 |
10.36 |
29th
|
4.59 |
11.00 |
|
14th
|
5.19 |
10.38 |
30th
|
4.58 |
11.02 |
|
15th
|
5.18 |
10.39 |
31st
|
4.57 |
11.03 |
|
16th
|
5.16 |
10.41 |
|
|
|
Lighting-Up Times
On the 2nd May it will
be noticed that the black-out time alters to threequarters of an hour after and
before sunset ; therefore, in order to obtain the correct lighting-up times
after the 2nd May inclusive, 15 minutes should be added to the
evening times and 15 minutes subtracted from the morning times given above.
[Facsimile signature] R. H. Fooks
Chief Constable.
J. W. Ruddock & Sons Ltd.,
Printers
Commentary
From early in the Second World
War, after the Fall of
France, special
constables (part-time volunteer policemen) in Lincolnshire were informed of
wartime developments and their morale maintained, by a small (typically 8 pp.
215 x 139 mm) booklet, issued to them monthly, by Lincolnshire
Constabulary. The earlier issues were however, foolscap sheets (328 x 203
mm), stapled together at the top left corner. It appeared monthly until No. 27,
the issue of September, 1942 (dated 5th October), when restrictions
on the use of paper ended its run. It was replaced by occasional (about one per
month) issues of the Instructional Pamphlet. The first of these is dated 19th
November, 1942.
Footnotes
1.^ Lessons were being learned. It was the
starvation of the general populace which brought
2.^ This subject arises again in Pamphlet No. 6.
3.^ In towns but particularly in farm transport,
horse traction was still very important. Although the British Army was
mechanized with the exception of pack mules in some out-of-the-way campaigns,
the German army still relied heavily on horse-drawn transport.
4.^ The balloon barrage was particularly dense
in the north of
5.^ While most of the pamphlet is training and
information, enabling the special constables to work efficiently, this section
is primarily for morale-building a recognition of their efforts.
Links to other issues of the Bulletin
and Instructional Pamphlets.