Two of the earmarked supplementary water supplies were brought into use. These were fed by water sent down aqueducts from the Corporation's reservoirs to the south of the town and the Water Department quickly put this supply into operation when requested. It is interesting to note that for the second night following, even the supplementary supply in the vital spot was damaged by high explosive bombs. On this occasion, blast wrecked garages, through the rear walls of which holes had previously been made for suction hose.

Reinforcements. As soon as it was apparent that a heavy raid had developed, assistance was requested of the Area Officer. Owing to damage to telephone lines, it took 10 minutes to make the first call and during this period it became necessary to increase the number of pumps called for from 10 to 30. This message was completed at 01.40.
At 02.50 a further 20 pumps were called for, after which reinforcements were built up to a final total of 92 pumps and 100 men without pumps were ordered on from Edinburgh.
Reinforcements arrived in a steady flow between 02.40 and 08.45. They were handled fairly well and the crews worked hard to give the local Service all possible assistance. Owing to the geographical situation of the town, reinforcements must, of course, take some while to arrive and it appeared, at one time, that the town might be more severely damaged for want of pumps at hand. Practically a third of the reinforcing pumps were light and were of limited use in dealing with fires which had assumed large proportions. Furthermore the quantity of hose carried with light pumps is totally inadequate in a "blitz" area.
Only 31 of the 92 reinforcing pump crews brought Nominal Roll forms and this was responsible for some slight delay at the reception bases.

Special Officers. At 02.05 three "Special Officers" were called for and sent on from Glasgow. These were put in charge of the Cathcart Street, Main Street and Belville Street operations and rendered invaluable service.
The Firemasters from Glasgow, Paisley and Johnstone also attend and offered their services, which were gladly accepted for the Municipal Buildings, Distillery and Victoria Harbour (1b) areas respectively.
The "Special Officers" were relieved at about 12.00 by three further officers who were, in turn, relieved at about 23.00. The Special Officers on duty the night following the raid were relieved and returned to Glasgow immediately it was known that a raid had taken place there.

Fire Fighting. Having regard to all circumstances, particularly the lack of pumps and manpower at a critical period, the lack of pressure water supplies and the intensity of the raid, the fires were, generally, well handled and some very good "stops" made.
Unfortunately, some calls were received when there were no pumps to dispatch and it was necessary to await the return of a local pump or the arrival of a reinforcing pump before attention could be given.
When the Municipal Buildings were on fire it was necessary to use half the communication staff, the maintenance staff, sailors and civilians for fire fighting operations.
However, when the raid was over, progress in controlling the fires was rapid and I was able to report to the District Commissioner, at 10.15, that the fires were well in hand and should be blacked out before the following night. Apart from the spasmodic outbreaks and a small section of the distillery this was possible.

Reliefs. With the fires under control, reliefs were planned and effected on the following lines.

From 09.00 - As and when pump crews reported back at a station they were relieved. Reinforcing crews sent home. Local men sent home - full-time day watch for two hours - night watch until 18.00
12.00 The Edinburgh contingent arrived about mid-day and were used to relieve all pump crews at fires. The men relieved were treated as those above.
18.00 The full-time night watch and a number of part-time volunteers relieved the Edinburgh contingent, which was then billeted at a local drill hall for the night.
08.00 The full-time day watch and naval 8/5/40 detachments relieved the night men and the Edinburgh contingent was sent home.
Excepting for reinforcements standing by in case of a further raid, the local Service, assisted naval ratings, took over all fire operations as from 18.00 on the day of the raid.

Preparation for the raid the following night. Owing to the need for retaining pumps at work relaying water to cooling down operations and to some being out of commission, it was not possible to release 20 of the reinforcing pumps on the day of the raid and only a few of the local pumps were back in commission before nightfall. Consequently, I applied to the Area Officer for 10 pumps, with skeleton crews, to stand by in various stations ready for service should a raid develop the following night. These pumps and men were returned to Glasgow immediately after the "all clear" the following morning.

Communications. The telephone service was of negligible value during the raid. Telephonic communication with the auxiliary station nearest to the main fire area failed completely at about 01.45.
At about this time all telephones failed, to be restored and fail again later.
At no time was it possible to contact the Area Officer direct. Messages had to be relayed, via Millport, and were confirmed by despatch rider
The Post Office staff operated from an emergency exchange and for a while could make a call to the Fire Control but not receive one. During this phase messengers conveyed messages to the exchange.
The messenger service and motor cycle despatch riders did invaluable work.

Naval Assistance. Considerable assistance was obtained from the local Naval Authorities, who readily made the following officers and ratings available for fire brigade work.

A.S. Pratten

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