First .Day Raid On Berlin EXPLOSION ON RADIO

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 108, 1 February 1943, Page 5

First .Day Raid On Berlin EXPLOSION ON RADIO

Reich Anniversary (British Official Wireless and Press Assn > (Received January 31, 7 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 30. The listening posts in England today heard from Berlin radio a muffled explosion and confused shouting, and. then three musical interludes before Herr Hitler’s deputy, Field-Marshal Goering—one hour after he had been introduced at the microphone—made his speech in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Nazis’ seizure of power. The reason was that swift Mosquito bombers of the Royal Air Force raided Berlin today. It was the war’s first daylight air attack on the capital. Goering was due to speak to the German nation at 1 I a.m., and the raid was timed accurately. The bombers, it is officially announced, all returned safely. Goering finally spoke at noon. It is also officially stated that a second attack was made by Mosquitoes just before the Minister of Propaganda, Dr. Goebbels, began a speech at the Berlin Sportspalast. Only one aircraft is missing. A spokesman in Berlin earlier had declared that Hitler was not speaking today because the burden of total war would not allow him to leave his troops at a critical moment. Goering was to broadcast from the Air Ministry building. The indications are that he and his audience there were compelled to take refuge in the cellars. Goering—the man who said the Reich would never be bombed—was not at the end of his troubles for the day. Throughout his speech a radio ghost-voice , interrupted with such remarks as, “Surely you don t believe that!