ATTACK BROKEN.

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

ATTACK BROKEN.

LONDON DEFENCES. Total For Yesterday's Raids Nears Half-Century. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Reed. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 9. Twenty-six enemy 'planes were destroyed in London's first raid today. Fighters shot down 24 and anti-aircraft batteries two. Thirteen British fighters are missing, but three of the pilots are safe. Spitfires are believed to have sent down three Messersehmitts over southeast London in the evening, when big bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked the metropolis. Some bombs were dropped on the inner London area. The first air raid warning in the London area was souuded at 5.10 p.m., and the all-clear was given an hour and a quarter later, says a British official wireless message.* The enemy raiders, which appeared to be few in number, were heavily engaged by antiaircraft gunfire and* fighters. So far no official information is available regarding the damage done. Agency reports state that a second warning was sounded at 8.45 p.m. An Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security communique issued later states: "This evening considerable forces of enemy aircraft again approached London. They were heavilv cngaaed. Preliminary reports show that while a few penetrated north of the river, only minor damage was done there. "Scattered bombs were- dropped on South London and many in the outskirts, but again no serious damage appears to have been done. While full reports are not yet available, casualties are not expected to be heavy. "The enemy dropped bombs in a town in Kent and wrecked a number of houses. Several people were* killed. Reports received to 10 p.m. show that 47 aircraft had been shot down in today's engagements, 45 by fighters and two by anti-aircraft guns. Thirteen of our fighters are missing, but three of the pilots are safe. "The Dover area was shelled this evening and the enemy's gunfire was returned." Full reports show that 103 enemy 'planes were destroyed on Saturday, of which fighters brought down 75 and anti-aircraft batteries 28. Raiders on Sunday night liombed a hospital whicli was unoccupied, being reserved for raid casualties. The bombs reduced a three-storey wing to rubble, and damaged another wing. A bomb striking a museum caused a fire which burned off the roof of the east wing. Another bomb demolished a house immediately opposite, and a third damaged another house nearby. Another museum in the London area was also damaged.