Summary

Document issued by the Architectural Research Group during World War II, comprising three typed sheets summarising the effectiveness of different types of air raid shelters, and related precautions, based on the European experience (particularly Britain and Spain). The document discusses the use of 'Plane Spotters', the types of shelters used by British industry, the dangers of glass and the bombings in Spain, then details the usefulness of Open Trenches, Covered Trenches, Surface Shelters and Cylindrical Concrete Surface Shelters.

Physical Description

Document consisting of three typed foolscap sheets. The first two have the letterhead of the Architectural Research Group; the third is plain. The first is typed on the obverse and the reverse; the remaining two are obverse only. All three show some creasing due to folding both lengthwise and horizontally. The first sheet shows insect damage on the bottom and right-hand edges. The second sheet shows tearing and insect damage on the right-hand edge. The third sheet shows noticeable damage and tearing on the left-hand edge.

More Information

  • Collecting Areas

    Public Life & Institutions, Home & Community

  • Acquisition Information

    Donation from Rosalind Wallis, 10 Jan 2013

  • Creator (Possible)

    Architectural Research Group, 1939-1945

  • Person Named

    Sir Francis Chichester KBE

  • Organisation Named

    Cavier Engineering

  • Organisation Named

    Standard Telephone & Cables Ltd (STC Ltd)

  • Organisation Named

    Vauxhall Motors

  • Organisation Named

    Turners Asbestos Cement Co.

  • Organisation Named

    Simmonds Aerocessories Ltd.

  • Organisation Named

    Institute of Structural Engineers

  • Person Commemorated

    Henry Firbank

  • Person Named

    Cyril Helsby

  • Austin Motor Works

  • Inscriptions

    Sheets 1 & 2: 'ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH GROUP/--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------/BOX 993H G.P.O. MELBOURNE' [Sheet 1: obverse:] ' [underlined] 'PLANE SPOTTING/ Every factory should elect a team of 'plane spotters: this is what Francis/ Chichester writes of 'plane spotting -'/ [Extensive text follows] [Sheet 1: reverse:] 'Simmonds Aerocessories [sic] Ltd.714 employees/ Brentford Walls 2'9" reinforced concrete/Roof 2'6" reinforced concrete with/ additional protection from concrete/floors of building above. '/ [Extensive text follows] [Sheet 2:] '[underlined] A.R.P. DATA/ [underlined] Notes on Shelter Types/ [underlined] Open Trench Shelters'/ [Extensive text follows] [Sheet 3:] '[underlined] Surface Shelters [plain text] - Brick & Concrete/ Experience has caused a number of revisions to the official English/surface shelter design, the more important being the insistence on'/[Extensive text follows]

  • Classification

    Military history, Civilian life, Air raid precautions

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    History

  • Type of item

    Document

  • Overall Dimensions

    240 mm (Width), 328 mm (Height)

  • 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

  • Keywords

    World War II, 1939-1945, Air Raid Precautions, Publications, Emergency Services, Municipal Government