Terror in London, Conflict Imminent, Public Unprepared ("Eyewitness" Part III)
History provides interesting parallels. In September, 1939, United Press war correspondent Henry Tilton Gorrell arrived in London on assignment. He found the British government unprepared for war. The Germans were well on their way to overrunning Poland, and Britain had pledged to protect the Poles, but Prime Minister Chamberlain was still sitting on the fence, holding out hopes that appeasing a fascist dictator might prevent a larger conflict. And then the terrorists struck.
As war seemed imminent, Henry Gorrell wrote in his memoir “Eyewitness” that:
There were pathetic efforts to fortify London against aerial attack, carried out by a public wholly unprepared for war. Children were being evacuated by the thousands, and hospitals were being cleared for action. Doctors were being mobilized even as debate in Parliament continued.
The minds of the British public were made up, though, and as the man-in-the-street snapped up extras, one could see anger in his face. Headlines revealed that no decision had yet been reached. The Londoner was tired of the German war of nerves and was finally convinced of the inevitability of world conflict. He realized that Hitler could be dealt with only in his own language – with force.
Sirens screaming throughout London on Sunday morning, September 3rd, 1939, punctuated the melancholy words of the Prime Minister as, his voice trembling, he announced to the people that “Now we are at war.” There was an instant feeling of relief. “Now,” said the people, “we know where we are.” There were no demonstrations, for the Englishman knew too well what modern warfare might bring, but I saw no hesitation as English youth responded to the colors.
The Londoners’ sense of humor never wavered and people who were later to be bombed out of house and home settled down to the grim days ahead. No one ever doubted that the Englishman could take it, yet those who realized how unprepared Britain was for war couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. Because I had seen the effects of bombing during the Spanish War, I was often asked to pass judgment on British preparations. My honest reply was always the same: “I’d start all over again. You are not ready for attacks on your soil.”
Gas masks were being issued to all who remained in London. The day I went to get mine I heard a choice argument between an air raid warden and an elderly lady with her little Pekingese dog in leash. She insisted that her dog should also be fitted with a “Mickey Mouse” gas mask since the dog was her best friend. I didn’t stay to see if she got her way, but I appreciated the light moment in what was otherwise a grim time.
Then a new threat emerged. Taking advantage of this chaotic time, the I.R.A. began raising Hell in London. It did not help the situation any, especially since infernal machines were going off all over the place, shattering already frayed nerves. One night, as I emerged from the underground in Piccadilly Circus, there were a series of deafening explosions. They were caused by time bombs planted outside shop windows by Irish saboteurs. Several passersby were injured in these attacks. To cope with this new emergency, the London bobbies, finest police force in the world, moved in, rounding up suspects, making their presence felt. I.R.A. members soon found themselves unequal to their sworn program of inciting panic behind the lines. The public expected the law to crack down. It did, and civil order was restored.
War against fascists abroad while terrorists strike at home. The democracies met the threat back then with resolve and force. Though the cost was high and we faced many setbacks over many years, we ultimately prevailed. Can the children and grandchildren of the “Greatest Generation” muster similar resolve against similar threats today?
