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10/2/1938 - Arrival in London by Thomas L. Blakemore

TLB VSR Park Lane Hotel London W1 October Dear Mr Rogers After docking Southampton Sunday I directly London Here I spent entire sitting right ringside accurately dramatic international clashes pinching myself every minutes I awake From first glimpse unbelievably verdant country I almost speechless feeling while seeing observing emergency defense prepartions quite indescribable It likely therefore I shall usurp Phil personal correspondent things I noticsd which might interest You wouldn recognize certain parts Green Park woodland separating Buckingham Palace hotel I strolled through first afternoon London trees every appeare_nce having undisturbed century today later section resemble abandoned strip mines where heaps surface Hundreds volunteer workmen digging proof trenches twenty schedule pouring rains under floodlights night worked unsightly transformation ppers report almost every garden London treatment Without eception every store I windows large A R P Air Raid Precaution posters command residents report iwnediately defense stations The management suggested I although merely temporary visitor after hastening Piccadilly nearest address found evacuated automobile display floor covered horse tables literly sarming people A R P officials women efficient I Was registered measured instructed given demonstrat another address where themselves issued three minutes In passing morning I notice station suspende operations exhibition Notuntil Tuesday I units regular morning positions Along acrowd which almost blocked downtown Londoh traffic I watched sluad aircraft Westminster bridge almost shadow House Commons Just Horse Guards Arch Wnitehall machine searchlight larger parks whole batteries Uniformed ywhere night I heard unceasing plane patrol could searchlights operation The newspaper carried orders autos equipped headlights watts strength blackout event traffl lights corners painted black leaving center color slgnal I vJent Cambridge ednesday I learned several thousand London children young mssks being taken there The daughter professor I talked supervising tremendous assigning homes As I could coolness I mentioned encountering British Georgic London These other emergency measures crried orderly unexcited manner I scarcely could believe possible The theaters crowded shops seemed The signs tenseness I could rushes editions newspapers cheering Chamberlain booing Kitler reels shown movies This apparent calmness inninent danger imprese aything Not until yesterday I recover equilibrium which overboard somehere As I laned earth pitching Georgic which disconcerting mildest terms In trying right myself I suppose I staggered London result getting normal again seeing sights record Today I going smbridge further Professor Gutteridge In minutes Wednesday I assured Y could taken Trinity Hall which should quite convenient since professors under I shall there As I college simply beautiful grounds facts recited Student Handbook namely founded William Bateman Bishop Norwich normal enrollment around students especially strong legal studies I write again I settled schedule Sincerely Yours