The Third World War: August 1985

1200 For mutual protection and support most of remaining inhabitants have concentrated in the area round the school and the ‘Red Cow’.

8 August

Branscombe

0600 Signal ex District — enemy concentrating attacks on power stations, oil depots and ports.

0700 Farmers northern perimeter of Parish report looting of food stocks during night. 0800 Recce of N perimeter report 850+ refugees camped alongside A3052 demanding accommodation in Parish.

100 °Controller visits refugees and offers accommodation for 34 women and young children, a hot meal for all and two days’ food for the remainder if they will keep moving. Offer accepted. They are given medical supplies.

115 °Controller orders construction of strong barbed wire fence along northern boundary of Parish.

1200 Four refugees in village brought before Controller accused of raping girl. Accused and witnesses with armed escort sent to District HQ for trial before JP.

1350 District HQ signal that nuclear bomb has exploded over London. Village advised and nuclear drill rehearsed.

1430 District HQ advise previous report false. Village told.

1630 Air dogfight over Branscombe. Soviet plane shot down over sea. No parachute. Reported.

2131 Intense air activity, sound of bombs falling and heavy explosions which appear to be in area of village and are getting… [Entry ends here.

Emergency Diary was found in ruins of Holt House.]

Buxford

0800 Heavy air raid on airport during night. Over 50 bombs in Buxford area — HE and nerve — delayed action. No water or electricity.

Sparksley Green

1200 Heavy air attacks on Birmingham Airport during night. About 30 HE bombs fell in Sparksley area, approx 170 casualties. Police, rescue, fire, etc, in control. Still no water or electricity. 1410 Epidemic of sickness and diarrhoea reported to District.

9 August

Branscombe

0800 Emergency Control HQ at Holt House destroyed by direct hit with 225 kg HE bomb at 2131 yesterday and Controller and Emergency Committee members and all Control Staff killed. All CD equipment except one dosimeter destroyed. Reserve Emergency Control HQ opened up in Parsonage House at 0400 and stand-by Emergency Committee members and Controller took over as agreed. Supply of dosimeters, survey meters, chemical detector papers, respirators and protective clothing received from District at 0700. Priority phone connection established at 0750.

Eight killed, seventy-three injured and gassed in village in last night’s raid caused by HE and nerve gas. All casualties evacuated to Axminster.

0900 120 cattle and sheep killed previous night. Buried at Holt Pits.

1015 New stand-by Controller and BREMCO members appointed. Reserve Control HQ will be at Hayes Farm.

1350 Burial service of casualties of last night’s raid. Service in Parish church.

1500 Farmers report large number cattle and sheep with unusual symptoms, thought to be due to nerve gas. District asked to send vet.

12 August

Branscombe

0800 BBC report Warsaw Pact forces still advancing southwards up west bank of Rhine. Continued enemy A/C attacks on UK airfields, ports and power stations.

0900 Outbreak sickness and diarrhoea reported Rest Camp I. District asked to send doctor.

100 °Controller meets deputation from refugees who complain of inadequate food and harsh and uncomfortable living conditions, and say that many do not wish to work on farms and all have to walk too far to work and for their meals. Controller explains necessities but promises to try to improve conditions.

1800 The first of the daily evensong ecumenical services in the Parish church. Full.

19 August

Branscombe

0800 BBC reports NATO counter-attack northwards towards Bremen has made headway, and enemy’s southern advance has been stopped. No air attack on UK for 48 hours.

140 °Cricket match — Village v the Rest. Village 86 all out, the Rest 87 for 4.

1900 Evening concert Village Hall.

20 August

Branscombe

1140 District reports nuclear explosion Birmingham area.

1300 BBC confirms high-yield nuclear bomb burst over Birmingham at 1130. Very heavy casualties and great damage. Villages within 50 kilometres and in path of fall-out cloud being evacuated. Govt warns there is possibility that other nuclear strikes may be expected.

160 °Controller addresses village on sports field — explains position and rehearses nuclear drill. Everyone to continue as normal with no extra precautions.

Buxford

1130 Extraordinary bright flash in southern sky, followed by ascending, expanding huge red ball of fire. Immense shock wave later. Can it be?

Sparksley Green

0028 Residents’ party in Control HQ ends at midnight. Little activity in UK over past 72 hours. Many hope war will be over in few days. But who has won?

1100 Routine call to District. Signal loud and clear.

1128 Warning — all Control Posts to stand by for urgent signal.