LONGEST YET

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 84, 5 October 1940, Page 11

LONGEST YET

DAYLIGHT WARNING

UNFAVOURABLE WEATHER

THICK NIGHT MIST-

(By Telegrapfc—Press Association —Copyright.)

(Received October 5, 11.30 a.m.)

LONDON, October 4

London today experienced its longest daylight air-raid warning. Single planes continually circled overhead, mostly over the suburbs, where a number of incendiary bombs were dropped.

Six raiders this afternoon divebombed over • a south-eastern centre, making a direct hit on the front of a historic castle and demolishing houses in two streets. Craters were left in several roadways. There were a number of fatalities.

A solitary, bomber dropped two whistling bombs on a south-east, coastal town, smashing church win* dows and causing several fatal casualties.

Raiders this morning dropped a number of explosive bombs along the lower reaches of the Thames.

It is stated officially that enemy air activity was on a smaller scale and weather conditions were very unfavourable. The attacks were confined almost entirely to the London area. A few bombs were also dropped in other parts of south-eastern England. There was little damage in the areas affected, and the number of casualties was very small.

As a result of an unusually early all-clear signal, London had an almost normal morning. Newspapers and milk were delivered earlier and transport was more prompt and crowds went to work with less difficulty.

Two heavy bombs were dropped in. central areas in the north. On 3-; one bomb was dropped in the southeastern area. The latter demolished three houses, frcm which three bodies were recovered.

Night raiders fumbled about the sky in thick grey mist, clearly uncertain where they were. They did not dare to come down. low. Even parachute flares were useless. This is the first occasion since the "blitz" opened that two.all-clear signals have been sounded before dawn.

Raiders bombed thirteen districts in the home counties. Central London was quiet for long periods.