Incendiary Bomb Demonstration

From the collection of

Screen Archive South East at the University of Brighton collects, preserves, catalogues and provides public access to its collection of films and magic lantern slides. The collection charts the rise of screen culture in the region and the nation and captures many aspects of life, work and creativity in the South East from the late 19th century to the present day. It is available for research, screenings, creative re-use and commercial access.

Incendiary Bomb Demonstration

Screen Archive South East at the University of Brighton
Canterbury
1940-01-01
Silent
3m

Learn how to deal with incendiary bombs the correct way in this short and fiery film from Sydney Bligh.

This short training film, made by Sydney Bligh, demonstrates the correct way to deal with incendiary bombs - a major cause of the extensive fires seen during the Blitz. We see a shed with items arranged close to a sparking incendiary bomb. As the fire takes hold, and grows, a man uses a stirrup-pump to spray a jet of water over the flames. The sparks fly when water hits the incendiary itself but by soaking the surroundings the fire is brought under control and then extinguished.

Sydney Bligh ran a wireless and electronics shop called S.W.Bligh, which was on North Lane in Canterbury. He was an early pioneer of radio, beginning his experiments in 1913 using the call-sign BXA. By the early 1920s Bligh was broadcasting his own shows - before becoming one of the founder members of the British Broadcasting Company. As well as his work as an amateur filmmaker he also was an early pioneer of television and developed some components that improved television reception.

Life Under Fire

The horror of Luftwaffe bombs coloured daily life in Britain's cities and beyond, and war brought myriad daily hardships besides. But Britain could take it!

The Blitz receded after May 1941, but even after the Battle of Britain, the nation faced a barrage of incendiary bombs, V-1s and V-2s. While young men fought Axis powers across three continents, their families listened anxiously to the wireless, while many worried too about children far from home. But in the face of the destruction, sirens, blackouts and hours in shelters, the now-legendary 'Blitz spirit' kept despair at bay. Britain held her nerve thanks to mutual support, defiance and wit - plus a good grumble and as many cups of tea as rationing allowed.