TO DEFEAT PARACHUTISTS
THE whole country from Land's End to John o' Groats has become parachute-conscious. Its imagination has been grimly stirred by the stories of German soldiers, disguised in Allied uniforms, or civilian clothes, or even as women or priests, dropped by day or by night at points far behind the organised front, and escorted swiftly by Fifth Columnists to seize key buildings or prepare the way for the landing of troops by aeroplane. We now know that the Dutch, though aware that Germans were likely to be dropped from aeroplanes, were completely surprised by the numbers who arrived and by the large forces which followed in troop-carriers ; and that the disorganisation caused in the rear, and the necessity of diverting troops from their allotted tasks, had a serious effect on operations at the front. The possibility, indeed the probability, is now realised that similar attempts will be made in this country, and perhaps soon. If we are sufficiently prepared for them the enemy's purpose will be frustrated. We have been warned, and in consequence we should be armed.
But it is necessary that everyone should appreciate what it all means—what has to be done, and what has not to be done, the latter being almost as important as the former. The defences against this insidious kind of attack may be broadly divided into two kinds—those provided by the trained forces of the Crown, and those which are to be im- provised through the part-time voluntary service of the Local Defence Force. These two kinds of defence must not be confused, though they will be required to co-operate. It is obvious that the Defence Volunteers will not be enough, though their help may prove invaluable. There were occasions in Holland when parachutists heavily armed descended in scores and prepared the way for the landing of men from aeroplanes in hundreds and even thousands. Such raids could only be dealt with effectively by trained military forces.
Against such attacks Mr. Eden has said that preparations have been made. " Our plans are laid," he said. Naturally they will not be divulged for the advantage of the enemy, but some of the elements of the defence are known to everyone. Raiders will have to run the gauntlet of our defending Air Force, whose prowess has been proved again and again in attacking, destroying or chasing away enemy machines up and down our long eastern coast ; where- ever the raiders attempt to penetrate they will be detected by observers, picked out by searchlights, and subjected to intensive fire from anti-aircraft guns. But if the attacks were made in sufficient numbers many must be expected to get through, and we may be sure that they would attempt to reach vital points such as aerodromes, munition factories, radio stations, telephone exchanges, power stations, waterworks and railway junctions. We must assume, for example, that every aerodrome has been power- fully armed by the Government, so that it can be defended from attack on the ground as well as from the air, and that similar precautions have been taken at all other key points. It is the duty of the Army, not of the Volunteers, to provide that highly mobile armed units are available in different parts of the country to deal with an emergency. For this purpose, though too many troops should not be diverted from the major job of fighting the enemy at the front, large numbers must be specially provided to ensure that danger from raiders cannot assume large proportions. If it is allowed to do so, then the defence of the rear at once becomes a major job, and the front itself is threatened. Mobile and well-equipped units for defence in back areas are scarcely less necessary than anti-aircraft batteries.
All this is a matter for the Government and the fully trained forces. But of these fewer will be needed if Local Defence Volunteers are well organised ; and the part that they can play—with the whole civilian population behind them—may be a great one. The first word that must be spoken, however, is a word of caution. Under the circum- stances of today it is easy to -let the imagination run riot. But it is not sensible to begin suspecting the presence of a German in every field and country lane. We do not want spy hunts or suspicion of spies at every turn. It must not be made more dangerous for our own airmen to make forced landings. We must not threaten farm labourers because we have heard an aeroplane overhead, nor fire service rifles wildly in the air regardless of the fact that the bullets may fall a mile or more away on some innocent head. The Local Defence Volunteers no less than the Regular Army must work under discipline and in accord- ance with considered plans.
Their task will be to act as eyes and ears of the defensive in every area of the country. It will be their duty to learn to distinguish between friend and foe ; to keep an enemy Under observation; to report his presence without delay to the police or the military ; and in suitable cases to round up, capture and disarm small groups of parachutists or anyone attempting to co-operate with them. British Legionaries and other ex-servicemen are particularly valuable as recruits. Members of rifle clubs will provide skilled marksmen, and the organisation of the A.A. should prove useful from the knowledge which its agents have of the roads and of telephone communications. The technique of action required in towns will not be the same as that in villages and rural districts. Each centre will require its own organisation, devised with a view to local needs, but should act in accordance with rules laid down at head- quarters. It will have to make its local transport arrange- ments, so that the necessary cars, motor-bicycles and push- bicycles will be instantly available, and must be prepared to detail some of its men to observe, report on, or handle the enemy, and others to mount guard at any points which the raiders would wish to seize. In quiet times the Volunteers will be trained in observing, signalling, reporting and in the use of arms. The essential requirements are intelligence, coolness, elasticity, knowledge of the country, and understanding of the rules. Bands of men knowing their duties and available in every small town and village, acquainted with the district and with one another, should be able to give a bad time to small numbers of parachutists hardy enough to descend in a rural area.
It need hardly be supposed that the enemy will attempt indiscriminate raids except at a time when they intend to follow them up with much more formidable attacks vn the country as a whole. The Germans are not likely :0 fritter away their resources on random excursions, which could not forward their large-scale operations. Pending such operations there is no need for civilians to live in a state of tension or constant expectation of bolts from the blue. The country must prepare, organise, and leave nothing to chance, but for the rest go about its busine,s and its occasional relaxations with confidence—careful, bit not fussy, active but not restless.
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