大象传媒

THE BLACKOUT

As a young teenager I was always very conscious of how careful we should be to make sure not a glimmer of light would appear from any window. All windows had to be glimmer proof once the light was lit in case a German aircraft came across the sky. It was wartime.

Living as we did in the Roe Valley, where so many airfields had sprung up, it was very important to protect them and give no indication of habitation to anything in the sky. Fewer lights were used and, of course, there was no electricity supply throughout the countryside - all means of lighting was by paraffin lamps so it was less difficult to block the glare from these.

Black out blinds had to be purchased for windows and special fittings for all vehicle lights. These fittings blocked the light from showing too much beam except immediately in front. There was no racing along when travelling at nighttime - of course there was not much pleasure-travel as petrol was rationed and was saved for essential journeys. Maybe it would be a good idea to have petrol rationed again to keep some of the cars off the roads and to only use cars if the journey was really necessary.

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