Bombers Hurtled To Their Doom

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 220, 16 September 1940, Page 7

Bombers Hurtled To Their Doom

SCENES OVER LONDON People Forget Danger To Cheer R.A.F. Victories (United Press Association.—Copyright.—fcec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 15. Sabbath peace descended on London this morning. The calm was almost unnatural after days of sirens, gunfire and bombing. Churchgoers went to services and holiday-makers to the country as if the days of peace were here again, for London had not had an alarm for eight hours. A JL noon ' however, tfie first alarm sounded. It lasted an . hour. Three more alarms were heard during the afternoon. The all clear" for the fourth was given at 7!40 p.m. Sirens sounded < for the fifth time at 8.15 p.m. An official message says that at least 175 enemy 'planes were shot down to-day. Thirty British were lost, but ten pilots are safe. When the sound of dog-fights was heard over London in the afternoon, air raid shelters were emptied faster than they have ever been filled. Bombs, fire, shrapnel and machine-guns were completely forgotten. Cheers went up from every street when British fighter 'planes were seen literally tearing the raiding 'planes to pieces. When they were again driven underground at nightfall the had passively resisted the most murderous onslaught ever aimed at a civilian community had something tangible to grin about. They had seen with their own eyes a sample of the R.A.F.'s power, later expressed by the official bag for the day of at least 1 75 German 'planes.

London's skyline is unchanged after a week in which alarms have totalled no fewer than 70 hours. The fact that it is still possible to use the hackneyed phrase "St. Paul's silhouetted against the sky" is not the least of Londoners' joys. The removal of the 5001b time bomb was a major triumph. A large area around the famous cathedral had been roped off for d-ys, while the explosion which might have done irreparable damage was breathlessly awaited. No service was held this morning for the first time for years. The authorities say it should be possible for life around the cathedral to return to normal to-morrow. Furious Battles Seen In The Skies. At least 50 'planes were engaged in a dog-fight over the Channel in the London area during the second warning this afternoon. Watchers from roofs saw opposing 'planes curveting thousands of feet up and fragments of two raiders evidently blown to pieces' by anti-aircraft shells falling from a great height. Screaming bombs fell in the south-east London area, where the raiders encountered violent anti-aircraft fire. Terrific bursts of anti-aircraft fire heralded the German noon raid, when 48 bombers and 24 Messerschmitt fighters roared out from thick clouds flying over the Thames Estuary towards London. British fighters came from all directions and thrilling dog-fights followed. Two bombers were seen hurtling to their doom. The battle progressed in the south-west and then the raiders made for home. The bombing, which lasted' for some minutes, appeared frenzied. Whistling and high-explosive bombs seemed to fall in one of the most exclusive residential areas. London's third warning followed the appearance of strong formations of German 'planes flying to London from the direction of the Thames Estuary. Observers in a south-east district said this was the strongest force of raiders they had so far seen. British fighters again engaged the Germans, many of which were heard over the London area, where machine-gunning was clearly audible.