Nazis Make Most Savage Raid Yet

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 224, 20 September 1940, Page 7

Nazis Make Most Savage Raid Yet

WEDNESDAY NIGHT Onslaught Was Only An Expression Of Blind Fury (United Press Association.—Copyright.— Kec 11.30 turn.) LONDON, September Iβ. Many observers regard Wednesday night", raid on London a> the moat savage yet. The Germans flew lower than they have ever done and took suicidal chances, frenziedly endeavouring to pwrce the vast, hellish curtain of fire around and over London. Ihe raiders made no effort to seek out military objectives, but sought only to unload their bombs as near as possible to the heart or the capital. The chief gain from this barbaric onslaught was to damage objects of historic interest all over the world and the devastation of private property. Their would-be reprisals have become expressions of blind fury at Britain's resistance. Two raiders tell and caused a terrific explosion in a south-west suburb. A stirring scene was enacted in Central London when a bomb set fire to a famous building. Over 1000 people who were sheltering in the vaults formed up like a battalion on parade and marched in perfect order to nearby surface shelters.

The Air Ministry communique reports that the enemy scattered high explosives blindly over the capital. Some were of heavy calibre and damaged many districts, but small dwellings in London and suburbs were the main subject of the wanton attack* Some houses hit were wholly or partly demolished. Preliminary reports disclose that the casualties were heavy, and are provisionally estimated at 90 killed and 350 seriously injured. Activity was widespread, but comparatively slight outside London.