VICIOUSLY SHELLED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 55, 2 September 1944, Page 7

VICIOUSLY SHELLED

SOUTH COAST SF ENGLAND

Rec. 9 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 1. Several towns on the south coast of England were severely damaged early this morning by German long-range guns in the Calais, Cap- Gris-Nez, and Boulogne areas. The bombardment lasted several hours. British' longrange guns also went into action. A wide area was affected by the shelling. Over 150 shells were fired. The German news agency, referring ■ to the shelling, said that the barrage was directed against invasion forces' and military centres in southern England, and added: "It is being carried out with 'very heavy missiles. Berlin circles decline to say whether the shelling was a measure against further invasion preparations' or whether new long-distance weapons were in action." ' " " The "Daily Telegraph" correspondent says: "The enemy opened fire; just before; 2 a.m., after which* they hurled shell after shell' across the moonlit' straits lor five hours. The gun flashes could be seen from the' English- coast. The batteries kept up an extremely rapid.rate of fire for the .first hour and a half,, starting with1 four-gun salvos and increasing later to ; eight-gun salvos, but • finally slackening off to ;single shells. This vicious attack appeared to be a 'last chance' spite offensive. The Germans I are probably trying to get rid of their ammunition before it falls to our advancing armies." v Despite the weight of the attack, casualties were light. The majority of the inhabitants took cover after the first salvo. Nine were killed and 20 seriously injured in one Channel port, where shops and houses were, considerably damaged. Damage to . property was generally severe. Many people were rendered homeless. j