Jacko went back outside while Bradley hung strips of torn cam-scarf, a square of thin, green-mesh cotton, used to wrap around your neck and face, along the edges of the hide, with a double layer by the entrance. In the morning, he would need to check how covert their hide was, but he felt confident that if anyone stared into the blackness of the bush, blackness was all that they would see. He unravelled their sleeping bags and lay them down along the length of the hide. It was nearly complete. Two things remained to do: ready their weapons, two nine-millimetre Brownings, and the radio. They had considered bringing heavier weapons, but it had been decided that, if they got caught, an SMG wouldn’t make a huge difference in the middle of hostile territory. Stealth was their best weapon. He checked both pistols were loaded, but not cocked. Once they were settled in their position then they would arm their personal weapons. Once he had sorted out the radio, they would be ready. They could then catch some sleep, two hours on, two hours off during the night, and four on, four off during the day. This would be their life for an indeterminate period of time, and it started now.
Chapter 19
What happens when an H-Bomb explodes?
An explosion from this type of bomb would devastate an area for many miles around. The bigger the bomb, the higher it exploded, would determine the amount of damage caused. But, you can survive. The three dangers you will face outside of the immediate area, are heat, fall-out and blast.
Heat — the huge fireball it creates would be white-hot, lasting for up to twenty seconds, killing anyone in its immediate path and for many miles away.
Fall-out — the rising fireball would suck up huge amounts of dust from the ground and make it radioactive. As it rises higher and higher, carried downwind, it will be scattered over an area hundreds of miles long, forming a lethal corridor tens of miles wide.
Blast — that would come after the intense heatwave and would be at hurricane force levels, destroying all buildings in its path. Even those buildings further afield would have their windows shattered and may be unstable and unsafe.
“Lawrence, the rest of the Cabinet can’t get here for a couple of hours, so I wanted to talk through a few things with you and Jeremy before they arrive.”
The Secretary of State for Defence was about to reply, but Jeremy Chapman, the Home Secretary, responded first. “The roads are incredibly busy, Prime Minister. It seems there is some mild panic buying occurring in parts of the country.”
“My announcement later today will only make matters worse.”
“I have instructed the police to cancel all leave, and officers will be expected to do extra shifts.”
“Good. Troops on standby, Lawrence?”
“Yes, Prime Minister. They are also preparing to protect key points, such as power plants, bridges, communications buildings.”
“I spoke to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner last night. He will be bringing some of his emergency plans into being,” added the Home Secretary.
“This is going to turn this country and the world upside down.” Harriet Willis sighed. “Do you have any better news for us, Lawrence?”
“I’m afraid the character of the news going forward is going to be very dependent on what happens over the coming days. As we established during the sitting at Westminster yesterday and the Cabinet meeting last night, we reaffirmed our commitment to NATO. At a meeting of the NATO Military Committee, I informed them of Britain’s support and pledged our forces to fulfil their role in defending our ally, the Federal Republic of Germany. It was agreed without exception that NATO forces in West Germany should deploy. As approved, we will give our commanders the authority to deploy our forces when they see fit.”
Prime Minister Harriet Willis leant forward. “They were all in agreement?”
“The Belgian Prime Minister was dragging his feet, but came around in the end.”
“We must let Christopher know. No doubt the Soviet Ambassador will be camping outside the Foreign Office once he hears about this.” The PM looked through the line of large windows that separated this office from the lengthy Cabinet Office conference room that was also part of Section 14 of the Government War Headquarters at Corsham. Staff were in and out of the conference room, busying themselves with getting it ready for the forthcoming Cabinet, now referred to as COBRA, meeting.
“How is the preparedness of this facility progressing, Jeremy?”
“It’s not fully staffed yet, Prime Minister, but will be by midday tomorrow. It is proving difficult for the Government to balance the everyday activities with moving to…” he hesitated, “…a state of war.”
“Come on, Jeremy! We are at war, even if shots haven’t been fired yet. Put some fire under them. I..want…this…ready…now.” Her voice softened slightly. “We are going to have to run the country from here, whether we, or the rest of the country, like it or not.”
“I will get on it immediately after the COBRA meeting.”
“Good.” She gave him the firm look that she was famous for. “We must be ready. What is ready?”
“The BBC studio is functional as is the Ministry of Information. The staff are testing the links as we speak.”
The Defence Secretary changed the subject, taking some of the pressure off his fellow Cabinet colleague. “Have the Defence, Public Safety Regulations been put into effect yet?”
“Yes, along with the Public Safety and Order Regulations.”
“That will help us to control the media at least,” the PM mused. “We need foster as much calm across the country as possible.”
“Complete control, Prime Minister. And with the BBC in block 16 next door to us, we can send out the right message.”
“What about the Railways and Essential Services Act?”
“All done. Once Parliament agreed and signed it off yesterday, it was put into use almost immediately.”
The PM stared through the floor-to-ceiling windows again. “I never thought we would be sitting here, putting this bunker to use for real.”
The ‘Chanticleer’, the Government War Headquarters, was starting to come alive. The central stores were stocked with food and supplies to feed up to four thousand staff, although not all would be working in the main bunker complex. The bakery, with its automated breadmaker, a device that stood over two metres high, was gearing up to provide the bunker’s occupants with fresh bread. The kitchen staff were in the process of giving the kitchen and its numerous ovens and stoves a deep clean. Although much of the kitchen equipment was from the mid-to-late sixties, it was still serviceable. Once fully up and running, the chefs and cooks would provide the occupants of the bunker with at least one hot meal a day. In the meantime, a tea bar had been set up.