Repeated Attacks On London

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 215, 10 September 1940, Page 7

Repeated Attacks On London

DEATH TOLL LOWER Indiscriminate Bombing Causes Widespread Damage

(British Official Wireless.—Rec. noon.) RUGBY, September 9. "Reports of the damage caused in the attacks on London on S W a M not / et complete,- states an Air Ministry and Home Security Ministry communique, "but some particulars can now be given. The attacks were severe and continued through" out the hours of darkness. Bombing was widespread over the London area and for the most part indiscriminate. "The damage was heavy and comprised many targets of a non-m,litary character including three hospitals and two museums. Ine number of casualties cannot at present be assessed, though as far as information is available it is not anticipated that the numbers will exceed Saturday's figures. t * The , casua J ties g iv en for the attacks on that day are now found to be rather lower than was announced. According to present information 306 were killed and 1337 seriously injured. "Docks on both sides of the river," continues the communique, were again subjected to heavy and repeated bombardment on Sunday night with high explosive and incendiary bombs. A number of fires broke out. Many of these have been extinguished. All the remainder are now well in hand. 'London once again has been the main objective of the enemy and its citizens have met the blind savagery of these latest night attacks with admirable courage and resource." • King George Tours Stricken Area. The King to-day made a three-hour tour of areas in east and south-east London, which suffered most from the enemy bombing. His Majesty, who travelled up from Windsor specially to make the tour, commented upon the wonderful bravery of the people in these ,areas who, though many of them were rendered homeless and suffered personal bereavement, appeared to be cheerful and gave the King the warmest reception. At many places which the King visited, A.R.P. units were still hard at work,-and His Majesty had occasion to congratulate various services for their good work and courage. Later the King drove to a road where a huge bomb struck and completely destroyed a row of eight houses. He clambered up a huge pile of debris in front of a crater 75ft wide and 50ft deep. Dirtbegrimed A.R.P. workers were still searching here for bodies, and one man showed the King a big piece of a bomb. The King saw many other buildings, including a big block of flats, which had been moved one yard as a result of a bomb explosion, but which had not fallen down. A cable message says Mr. Churchill toured the East End late yesterday afternoon and talked with homeless people. He viewed the damage and said he wanted first-hand news of the happenings. Hundreds cheered him in spite of their own troubles.