LONDON SUFFERS MORE THAN WARSAW.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 223, 19 September 1940, Page 7

LONDON SUFFERS MORE THAN WARSAW.

GERMAN BOMBINGS.

But Communications Still Maintained. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Reed. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 18. Neutral military attaches and correspondents who experienced the bombings at Warsaw, Barcelona and Madrid, agree that London has already taken more punishment than any city, not excluding Rotterdam. They take the view that the Luftwaffe ihas failed to achieve the main purpose of the raids because the bombings have not disorganised London's communications, and thus supplies and reinforcements can still 'be sent to the areas which the Germans planned to invade. . An incendiary bomb damaged the great hall in Eftham Palace, a famous historic fragment dating 'back six and a half centuries. Firemen saved the destruction of the building, the lose of which would have wiped out the last veetige of the palace where Henry VIII. was educated and Edward 111. held his Parliament. An anti-aircraft shell fell on the lawn of Westminster Abbey to-day unexploded. A time bomb fell near the American Embassy 'building, which was damaged. LAMBETH WALK. Heart Of Cockney London Hit By Nazi Raiders. HARMLESS BOMB NEAR ABBEY. British Official Wireless. (Reed. 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 18. Lambeth Walk Street, market was one of the targets that suffered two direct hits by enemy bombs, in a recent night raid. This humble street is best known as having given its name to the popular song and dance which has been sung, whistled and danced in almost every country in the world since, nearly three years ago, it scored an immediate success in the musical play, "Me and My Girl," which until indiscriminate bombing necessitated its suspension, was still running at the London theatre where it was originally performed. The narrow little street, along the centre of which runs a quarter of a mile of market stalls, lined on each side with small shops, is the very heart of Cockney London. The true Cockney spirit displayed itself when, soon after daylight following a night of .bombing, shopkeepers and stallholders were clearing away the debris and preparing to carry on. Customers from surrounding streets were crowding in to make purchases.

During recent raids a bomb fell on the lawn of Westminster Abbey, causing a small crater but doing no damage to the Abbey.