0003230
*G.F. 323
CONFIDENTIAL
universal horror and disgust.
Attacks were also made on individual Police
Officers in order to gain possession of their firearms. In four separate
incidents two Police constables were killed, an Inspector severely injured
and another constable slightly injured in such attacks.
Explosive attacks, which at first were directed at selective targets
All known stocks of gelignite and fireworks in the
became indiscriminate.
Colony were called in during August but it is apparent that some stocks
Most of the 'bombs' have
evaded the Government net and the planting of bombs, both genuine and simulated
continued. This campaign has been essentially a propaganda move, to stimulate
the flagging communist support by a show of strength.
been simulated and many of them have carried such m.ssages as 'compatriots don't
touch'. The majority of the real ones were made from black powder extracted
from fireworks and produced more noise than danger. But some were deadly and
all had to be treated with the utmost care. While the more militant among the
communists no doubt hoped that these devices would cause casualties, particularly
among the Police and military bomb disposal squads that had to deal with them,
the main aim appeared to be to sap public morale by the disruption that was
caused and by the constant threat of danger. When innocent passers-by have
been killed or injured, as has inevitably happened, the communist press has
sought to evade responsibility by describing the matter as an 'unfortunate
accident' or by putting it about that not all bombs are planted by communists.
But whatever their intentions the deaths that have been caused, and particularly
those of two young children, caused a general revulsion of feeling against
the perpetrators.
Bomb attacks continued as an almost daily occurence until the end of
December. The visit to the Colony in October by the Minister of State for
Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Shepherd, was marked by a noticeable increase of
both real and simulated bombs, while in November there was a flurry of
violonce directed against Police units. Since the 25th of December however
no explosive bombs have been plantod and while a number of suspicious objects
continued to be reported it appears to be likely that this violent phase of
confrontation has come to an end. Since it began the Police and service bomb
disposal units dealt with 8,074 suspected bombs, of which 1,167 were genuine
bombs.
Teen-age girls have
In many cases children took part in these attacks.
been arrested in possession of explosive bombs and at least in one case a
CONFIDENTIAL
/15