Rothley Invasion Scheme

BY THE INVASION COMMITTEE

The Rothley Invasion Committee was:
Chairman:
Mr A. Elliott, Westwood, Westfield Lane Tel. Rothley 152
Deputy Chairmen:
Rev. C.L.R.Becher, The Vicarage. Tel. Rothley 241
Mr H.Winks, The Ridgeway. Tel. Rothley 123
M.O.I. Representative The Military Commander:
Mr G.C.G.Gee, Uplands, The Ridgeway. Tel. Rothley 31
Secretary:
Mrs Becher, The Vicarage. Tel. Rothley 241

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Company Officer National Fire Service:
Mr G.A.Hearth, Kinlet, Swithland Lane. Tel. Rothley 61
Civil Defence Head Warden:
Mr S.R.Ellis, Anmer, Brownhills Crescent. Tel. Rothley 114
First Aid:
Mr E.W.Smith, The Gables, The Rise.
Voluntary Food Officer:
Mr D.Charles, Sunnycroft, Swithland Lane. Tel. Rothley 228
Medical Officer:
Dr. T.Maitland Gibson, Mountsorrel. Tel. Rothley 27
Women's Voluntary Services:
Mrs Padmore, Brieryshaw, Swithland Lane. Tel. Rothley 75
Welfare Officer:
Mrs Carr, Three Oaks, Swithland Lane. Tel. Rothley 97
Billeting Officer:
Mrs Leigh Bryan, Woodgate. Tel. Rothley 155
Head Fire Guard:
Mr A.Clarke, Chequers, Mountsorrel Lane.
Infant Welfare:
Mrs P. Wykes, Woodlands, Swithland lane. Tel. Rothley 219
Water, Gas and Electricity Officer:
Vacant

The Scheme Part 1 INTRODUCTION

1) OUTLINE OF PROBLEM

a)
Population of 2,549.
Essential roads and other roads.
Railways.
Military requirements.

b)Enemy Plan:
Bombing by day/night, perhaps with gas, with the object of dislocating communications and impairing morale. Organised or unorganised fifth-column activities might occur during attack.
Possible landing of airborne troops on Golf Course, or crash landings by plane or gliders on large fields within the area.
Possible advance of enemy troops from any direction.

c) Our Military Plan:
The general military plan provides for NO WITHDRAWAL and that any enemy troops which may penetrate this area will be destroyed.

2) MAIN TASKS

The main combined military and civil tasks will be:
To defend the area until the enemy is destroyed, the civil contribution being to free every armed man to assist the military.
To keep open and free from debris, at all costs, all main roads. The military must be free to move, at all times, to attack and destroy the enemy. Civilian needs, and, if necessary, lives, at such times, must be regarded of lesser importance. Military requirements, under invasion conditions, must be regarded as of paramount importance.

3) LOCAL RESOURCES

Military
Police
Civil Defence ARP
Fire Service
Fire Watchers
Ministry of Information Local Representative
Voluntary Food Organiser
Feeding in Village Hall
Casualty Services
Homeless Persons
Voluntary Organisations
Youth Organisations
Potential Reserves

The scheme Part 2 GENERAL

1) OBJECT OF THE SCHEME

To ensure co-ordinated action by the various civilian interests in the event of invasion, especially in case the area is cut off from outside assistance.
To ensure appropriate co-ordinated action within the community in response to any call from the military for civil assistance.

2) INVASION COMMITTEE

As shown above.

3) FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE

(Note: This entry sets out rules for individuals on the committee if communications with the outside world are cut or hostilities break out in the neighbourhood.)

4) MAIN DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE

(Note. This entry is in four phases:
Phase 1 sets out what each must do in the event of a large scale bombing attack under immediate threat of invasion.
Phase 2 what they must do when the invasion has begun but the enemy is some distance away.
Phase 3 what they must do when the battle is taking place locally or is imminent.
Phase 4 what they must do when the enemy is in temporary occupation of the neighbourhood.)

FURTHER READING

if you would like to learn more about the Rothley Invasion Scheme you will find this book in the Local Studies Section at Rothley Library. There is much more fascinating information about:
Defending bridges
Ringing of Church bells
Immobilisation of petrol and oil pumps
Traffic control
Chief invasion tasks
Casualties
Schedule of tools and equipment (including hand carts and hot water bottles)
Location of tools and equipment
Billets for soldiers (including skittle allies, barns and loose boxes)
Rest Centres for reception and feeding
Shelter Accommodation. (Existing private shelters for 131 persons, existing private shelters for public use for 200 persons leaving 2,218 persons without air raid cover. To meet the shortfall, slit trenches will be marked on the area maps, in strategical positions, ready to be dug when necessary by householders under supervision, or by joint labour parties called out by the committee.)

There is no date in this book apart from a noted change of the secret code word issued on the 25th August 1942 to "BUGBEAR" on the 8th March 1943.
If anyone has memories of being involved in the Rothley Invasion Scheme I would love to hear from you. Please contact me at vincent.mbe82@yahoo.co.uk or 0116 2375156