DELIBERATE ATTACK

Evening Star, Issue 23681, 14 September 1940, Page 11

DELIBERATE ATTACK

BUCKINGHAM PALACE BOMBED KING AND QUEEN IN RESIDENCE ROYAL CHAPEL WRECKED (British Official Wireless.) Presi Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, September 13. (Received September 14, at 9.40 a.m.) An air raid warning, sounded for the third time to-day in mid-afternoon, lasted only a few minutes. An Air Ministry and Home Security communique after the second raid, which was the subject of four hours’ warning, says; “ Following last night’s ineffective attacks, in which bombs were dropped on London at random through heavy clouds, a small number of enemy aircraft to-day deliberately bombed a number of consipicuous buildings in various parts of London irrespective of their nature. It is feared that the enemy succeeded in killing and injuring a number of civilians. “ Buckingham Palace was attacked, several bombs falling within the precincts, one of which damaged the Palace Chapel. Then Majesties were in residence, but fortunately escaped injury. Three members of the Palace staff were injured. Incendiary bombs also fell in Downing Street, but did no damage.” The following telegrams passed between the War Cabinet and the King to-day: ‘‘The War Cabinet offers hearty congratulations to their Majesties on their providential escape from the barbarous attack made on their home and Royal persons.” The King to the Prime Minister replied: ‘‘ The Queen and I are so grateful to the War. Cabinet for its kind message. Like so many Other people we now have had personal experience of German barbarity, which only strengthens the resolution of all of us to fight to final victory.” In the attack on the Palace the enemy dropped five bombs in rapid succession. Two fell on the inner quadrangle, a third hit the private chapel, and the remaining two fell in the roadway between the Palace gates and the- Victoria Memorial. Their Majesties were in a shelter and members of the staff were also in shelters beneath the Palace. The Royal Chapel, which was wrecked, is in the south wing close to the Ambassadors’ entrance. The bombs which fell in the quadrangle caused two large craters, burst a water main, shattered windows, and pitted the walls. Soldiers from Wellington Barracks assisted in extinguishing fires. Their-Majesties, after walking through the cellars talking with members of the staff, inspected the wrecked chaipel. LONE RAIDER DIVES IN FROM CLOUDS LONDON, September 13. * (Received September 14, at 11.45 a.m.) The twin-engined , plane which bombed Buckingham Palace was seen diving from the clouds. The pilot as he came over the Palace appeared to cut his engines, and the whistle of bombs and explosions were heard in rapid succession. Pieces of stone masonry fell in Buckingham Palace road. One piece of stone smashed an electric light lamp in the centre of the road. The pilot then restarted his engine and disappeared in the clouds. One . bomb completely wrecked the Royal Chapel. Their Majesties’ Royal apartments and shelters are situated on the opposite side of the Palace, in the, north wing. Three members of the staff whose shelter was near the wrecked chapel were slightly injured. The bombs which fell in the roadway started a fire which was quickly extinguished. Other incendiaries fell near the Palace. NO DOUBT OF OBJECTIVE ROYAL PROGRAMME NOT DISRUPTED LONDON, September 13. (Received September 14, at 11.48 a.m.) The plane which bombed Buckingham Palace dropped a stick of bombs across a famous square. Two fell in the areas of houses, two in the roadway, and one nearfly hit a well-known peer’s house. A spotter on a nearby building said the plane which bombed the Palace came out of the clouds right over the Palace. It was not indiscriminate bombing, but a definite,attack. Soon after the raid their Majesties, apparently unshaken, left the Palace to continue the tour arranged yesterday of London’s areas in which the bomb damage was the heaviest.