HANDEL
Encyclopedia
HANDEL was the code-name for the UK
's National Attack Warning System in the Cold War
. It consisted of a small console consisting of two microphones, lights and gauges. The reason behind this was to provide a back-up if anything failed.
If an enemy air strike was detected, a key on the left hand side of the console would be turned and two lights would come on. Then the operator would press & hold down a red button and give the message:
"ATTACK WARNING RED! ATTACK WARNING RED!"
The message would be sent to the police by the telephone carrier wave frequencies used for the speaking clock
, who would in turn activate the air attack sirens using the local telephone lines. The rationale was to kill two birds with one stone, as it reduced running costs (it would most likely be used only once in its working life, though it was regularly tested) and the telephone lines were under constant test by sharing with a public service. That means a fault could be detected in time to give a warning.
A Handel Warning console can be seen at The Imperial War Museum in London
among their cold war
exhibits, alongside the warning apparatus used by Kent
Police (which was located at Maidstone
police station to activate the sirens).
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's National Attack Warning System in the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
. It consisted of a small console consisting of two microphones, lights and gauges. The reason behind this was to provide a back-up if anything failed.
If an enemy air strike was detected, a key on the left hand side of the console would be turned and two lights would come on. Then the operator would press & hold down a red button and give the message:
"ATTACK WARNING RED! ATTACK WARNING RED!"
The message would be sent to the police by the telephone carrier wave frequencies used for the speaking clock
Speaking clock
A speaking clock service is a recorded or simulated human voice service, usually accessed by telephone, that gives the correct time. The first telephone speaking clock service was introduced in France, in association with the Paris Observatory on 14 February 1933.The format of the service is...
, who would in turn activate the air attack sirens using the local telephone lines. The rationale was to kill two birds with one stone, as it reduced running costs (it would most likely be used only once in its working life, though it was regularly tested) and the telephone lines were under constant test by sharing with a public service. That means a fault could be detected in time to give a warning.
| Message | How it's received | Action to be taken | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack warning | Warbling note followed by message: "Attack warning RED!" This would be followed by a control signal, activating the powered ones. | Sound warning by activating sirens, the attack warning will be a rising and falling note. | Attack warning will be broadcast on all television and radio stations. |
| Fall out warning | High pitched pip signal followed by a spoken message. For example: "Fallout warning BLACK, London!" | Fire warning maroon (firework) three times. Though in some areas, it can be three gongs or whistle Whistle A whistle or call is a simple aerophone, an instrument which produces sound from a stream of forced air. It may be mouth-operated, or powered by air pressure, steam, or other means... s creating one long note followed by two short notes forming the morse note "D-". |
Fall out warning will be broadcast on the radio. |
| Fall out expected within the hour | High pitched pip signal followed by spoken message. For example: "Fallout warning GREY, Canterbury!" | Sound siren producing one long note but interrupted in short succession. Can also be given by church bells or word of mouth from the police and civil defence wardens | Fell out of use by the late 1960s |
| All clear | High pitched pip signal followed by a spoken message: "Attack message WHITE!". A steady control tone will activate the powered ones. | Sound siren giving a steady note | Further warnings may be broadcast on radio, along with information on aid for survivors and morale boosting broadcasts (There was also a "confidence tone" that demonstrated the system was working and told you to stand by for a warning at anytime). |
A Handel Warning console can be seen at The Imperial War Museum in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
among their cold war
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
exhibits, alongside the warning apparatus used by Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
Police (which was located at Maidstone
Maidstone
Maidstone is the county town of Kent, England, south-east of London. The River Medway runs through the centre of the town linking Maidstone to Rochester and the Thames Estuary. Historically, the river was a source and route for much of the town's trade. Maidstone was the centre of the agricultural...
police station to activate the sirens).