Hollywood Adds Realism to Drill

In an air raid drill staged at University High School on L.A.’s Westside, such expert effects were used that dozens of worried people called police. A powder expert from Paramount Studios set off mock bombs. Sound effects included the roar of bombers, dive bombers and machine-gun fire. The air raid warden running the event said the drill wasn’t meant to scare citizens. Its purpose was to instruct Civilian Defense workers in proper protocols in the event of an emergency. To add to the realism, a miniature village called “Wardenville” was set up on the field to let crews practice putting out simulated fires, as well as evacuation, decontamination and rescues.