Summary
An Air Raid Precaution pamphlet explaining what to do in the event of a Japanese air raid, focusing in particular on how to identify and disfuse incendiary bombs.
The pamphlet appears to have been designed and distributed within the context of a larger organisation referred to within the document as 'the House,' a possible reference to the Parliament of Victoria. The pamphlet also refers to the 'Herald Building' which is a possible reference to the Herald and Weekly Times Building, Melbourne, the home of Herald & Allied Publishing.
According to the Argus newspaper, the Victorian State Government was planning air raid precautions as early as 1939 with particular focus on Melbourne and Geelong. By 1940 plans for blacking out Melbourne were in place and the first black out test was made in Wattle Park at 2am in February 1941. Depsite this a letter published in the Frankston Standard later that same month comments about the seeming lack of 'State encouragement' whilst commending the air raid volunteers for their enthusiasm and commitment. The letter also notes that it was unlikely that Victoria would suffer an attack, but still important that precautions were undertaken. Such precautions appear to have increased in fervency following the attacks in the northern regions of Australia, including plans for the evacuation of children from Melbourne.
Australia suffered from 96 air raids on the mainland, concentrated on the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland, during World War II.
Physical Description
Four-page pamphlet printed on a single page and folded in half. The document has been yellowed with age.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Rosalind Wallis, 10 Jan 2013
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Date Issued
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Place Named
Herald & Weekly Times, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 4 Feb 1942
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Inscriptions
Printed in black ink on the front cover of the booklet: 'If Air Raids / Should Occur / WHAT TO DO / If the Japanese send bombers over Melbourne, the House and everyone / in it will face danger...'
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
210 mm (Width), 145 mm (Height)
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References
'Air raids on Australian mainland - Second World War,' Australian War Memorial, at: [Link 1] accessed: February 6, 2013 'Air Raids on the Australian Mainland,' Australian War Memorial, at: [Link 1]raids/ accessed: February 6, 2013 'Precautions for Air Raids: Victorian Cabinet Decision,' Barrier Miner (Broken Hill), 17 July 1940, p.3, via Trove, at: [Link 3] accessed: February 6, 2013 'First Complete Blackout' [referring to Melbourne]. (1941, December 15). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved February 7, 2013, from [Link 4] 'In Case of Air Raids'. (1941, February 18). Advocate (Burnie, Tas. : 1890 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved February 7, 2013, from [Link 5] 'Let's Write A Letter,' Standard, Frankston, 28 Feb 1941, p.2, via Trove, at: [Link 6] raids victoria&searchLimits= accessed: February 6, 2013
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Keywords
World War II, 1939-1945, Air Raid Precautions, Publications, State Government of Victoria, Emergency Services, Newspapers