Late War News GREAT BARRAGE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 223, 17 June 1944, Page 8

Late War News GREAT BARRAGE

Pilotless Planes’ Reception VERY LONG RAID (Bv Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.. (Received June 17, 1.30 a.in.) LONDON, June 16. Southern England last night and this morning had one of the longest air attacks of the war against Britain. Never before have anti-aircraft batteries put up such ceaseless, withering fire, and some of the raiders were literally smothered with shot, shell and searchlight beams. The raiders, which arrived at long intervals, dropped bombs which caused damage and casualties. . Mr. Morrsou, in his report to the House of Commons about last nights attack from pilotless aircraft, said lie had not yet received full details of the casualties or‘damage, nor of the number of planes destroyed before they could explode. It was probable that the attacks would continue. The usual siren warning would, subject to experience, be given for such attacks. . In the meantime it was important not to "ive the eiiemv any information which would help him in directing his shooting bv telling him where his missiles had landed It might be difficult to distinguish ‘these attacks from ordinary air raids, and therefore it had been decided that for the present the information published about air raids on southern England that is, south of a line from the Wash to the Bristol Channel would not. give any indication of where the raid went on, beyond saying that it occurred iu southern England. Warning For Public. While I thought it right to give the House at the earliest opportunity information about the use of the new weapon, the available information does not suggest that exaggerated importance need be attached to the development,” he added. “All possible steps are being taken to frustrate the enemy’s attempts at nuisance raids which do not imperil the lives of his pilots. “Meanwhile, the,nation should carry on its normal business. As raids by pilotless aircraft may occur in daylight when the streets are full of people, and as the anti-aircraft batteries will be used to shoot down the machines. I must impress on the public the importance of not exposing themselves unnecessarily to danger by remainin'* in the streets out of curiosity instead of taking the nearest cover while the guns are firing. For the time being the guns will shoot, .but that is liable to review as we go along.” Mr. Morrison said that the enemy s preparations for some time past had not gone unnoticed. It is reported that the pilotless planes during the raids carried a light which went out shortly before they exploded.