ABSTRACT

The police who remained in the town watched helplessly, believing that they were powerless to do anything. When Sergeant Bridgland told them that the town was under martial law he added that the police were not to attempt to carry out their duties except under military direction. When the handful of police officers who believed that Bridgland was wrong attempted to intervene, they found themselves up against the Provost Corps whom they were clearly unable to discipline. There were no official reports and few rumours of civilian police indulging in the looting. The looting and the traffic in stolen goods which went on for months afterwards were so blatant, and the attitude of officials particularly in the Army towards civilians who complained about the lack of protection given to their property, was so cavalier that it is extraordinary that it never became a major public issue.