The First Raids
The first air-raids on Britain on a great scale began on Tuesday night when fully a hundred aircraft attacked the Eastern Counties from Yorkshire to Kent. On the fol- lowing night the north-east coast was the principal objective. Casualties, twelve killed in the first raid, and fewer, so far as is known, in the second, were relatively light, and the damage to the chosen targets, which appear to have been legitimate military objectives, not heavy. These attacks must be regarded as the forerunner of many others, and we must now be prepared for parachute landings, attempted landings from aeroplanes, and real attempts at invasion. The people of the country have steeled themselves to play their respective parts with courage and fortitude. They have received advice from the Government as to what they should do—" stay put," if the Germans arrive, unless an order comes to move—and refrain from doing. There must be no crowding and confusion on the roads as there was in France, hampering the movement of troops. Every indi- vidual must be " on the watch," ready to tell the police exactly what he has seen, but not to spread rumour or believe faked stories. Civilians must do all they can to help the military without impeding them, and frustrate the enemy by the exer- cise of good sense and coolness. The dangers may be great, but there is no need for an exaggerated sense of them. If the Germans get a footing here they will be driven out by our armed forces. The best way to help the latter is not to impede them.
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