Direct Attempt By Nazi Plane

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXXI, 14 September 1940, Page 9

Direct Attempt By Nazi Plane

MAJESTIES ESCAPE Private Chapel Wrecked And Staff Members Wounded

(United Press Association.—Copyright.—Ree. 11 a.m.) LONDON, September 13. Official reports state that during this morning's raid bombs were dropped on Buckingham Palace, causing slight damage. Their Majesties, who were in the Palace, were unhurt.

Five bombs fell on the Palace, two being dropped in the inner quadrangle. A third hit the private chapel in the south wing. The others fell on the roadway between the Victoria Memorial and the Palace gates.

A twin-engined plane was seen diving' from the clouds. The pilot, as he came over the Palace, appeared to cut off the engines. The whistle and the explosions of bombs were heard in rapid succession. Pieces of stone masonry fell on Buckingham Palace Road.

The bombs which fell on the roadway started a fire that was quickly extinguished. Other incendiary bombs fell near the Palace.

Their Majesties afterwards walked through the cellars of the Palace and talked with members of the staff. They then inspected the wreckage of the chapel.

One piece of stone smashed an electric light lamp in the centre of the road. The pilot then restarted the engines and disappeared in the clouds.

Their Majesties and members of the staff were sheltering under the Palace. The bomb which hit the Royal Chapel completely wrecked it. Their Majesties' royal apartments and shelters are situated on the opposite side of the Palace, in the north wing. The bombs which fell in the quadrangle caused craters, and a water main burst, throwing up a cascade of water.

Many of the south wing windows were shattered, and a wall was pitted with bomb splinters. Three of the staff whose shelter was near the wrecked chapel were slightly injured.

The 'plane which bombed the Palace dropped a stick of bombs across a famous square. Two fell in areas of houses, two on the roadway and one nearly hit a well-known peer's house.

A spotter on a nearby building said the 'plane came out of the clouds, right over the Palace. It was not indiscriminate bombing, but a definite attack.

Soon after the raid Their Majesties, apparently unshaken, left the Palace to continue a tour, arranged yesterday, of London s areas in which the bomb damage was heaviest.

The War Cabinet has sent a message to Their Majesties congratulating them on their Providential escape from a barbarous attack made on their home and Royal persons.

His Majesty has replied: "The Queen and I are so grateful to the War Cabinet for its kind message. Like so many others, we have now had personal experience of German barbarity, which only strengthens the resolution of all of us to fight through to final victory."

Soldiers from the Wellington barracks assisted in extinguishing the fires, states a British official wireless message.