BOMBERS OVER BERLIN

Evening Star, Issue 23702, 9 October 1940, Page 7

BOMBERS OVER BERLIN

SEVEN WAVES OF RAIDERS MAIN POWER STATIONS SINGLED OUT HUGE FIRES LIGHT SKY Press Association —By Telegraph —Copyright LONDON, October 8. (Received October 9, at 11 a.in.) An Air Ministry communique states: Strong forces of our bombers last night made successful attacks on military objective in Berlin. Over 100 heavy bombs were dropped on the three main power stations. A large lire was caused at the Templehof goods yard. Several industrial plants were attacked, among other key points. The correspondent of the Associated Press says the raid was carried out by seven waves of bombers, some flying so low that they could he seen from the [lnter den Linden, over which they dropped dozens of parachute flares. Heavy explosions were heard in the centre of the city, and five fires could be seen blazing simultaneously. The raiders were often caught in searchlights, but quickly dived out of sight. It is officially stated that warehouses, railways, two hospitals, and a number of private houses were hit. One raider was shot down. The American Associated Press Agency reports that the British planes were over Berlin for four hours and ahalf, and that the raid was the most violent that Berlin has yet experienced. Two huge firese lit up the sky, and a pall of smoke shrouded the city. Two bombs foil near the agency’s office, which is only a short distance away from the Air Ministry, This raid is no doubt the reason for German wireless stations being off the air last night. According to the Berlin radio, the 11.A.F. hit two hospitals, one of which was the famous Robert Koch Hospital, and also hit houses and the Soren railway lines. Several civilians who failed to take cover were killed and injured. PALL OF SMOKE OVER CITY HAZI ADMISSION OF DAMAGE BERLIN, October 8. (Received October 9, at 11.15 a.m.) A German communique states:— “ British planes last night flew over Germany at many points. The principal objective was Berlin, where the defences succeeded in forcing, back the majority, although a section reached the capital and dropped bombs on storage sheds and railway trudks, causing damage at some points. A number of civilians were killed and injured.” Well-informed circles in Berlin say at least 15 were killed and many are not expected to live as a result of the raid. A fuller survey of the damage shows that five hospitals and a number of blocks of flats were hit. It is also announced that eight were killed in Amsterdam. The Associated Press says the R.A.F. raid kept Berliners in their shelters for nearly five hours. Two fires lighted the sky, and a pall of smoke drifted over the city. LONG-RANGE DUEL CHANNEL GUNS IN ACTION LONDON, October 8. (Received October 9, at 11.30 a.m.) Two of a battery of four long-range guns east of Cap Gris Nez, and also two smaller guns, fired across the Straits of Dover at daybreak for an hour at intervals of"three minutes. The British guns also bombarded the French coast, putting salvos on a target several miles inland near Boulogne. FRENCH PILOTS LARGE NUMBER REACH GIBRALTAR LONDON, October 7. General de Gaulle’s headquarters issued the following communique:— “ Despite heavy odds, a large number of French pilots reached Gibraltar from North Africa to join us. Flight w.ro shot down en route. In Egypt and Abyssinia the roll of Frenchmen who died fighting for French independence lengthens every day. Five pilots have already given their lives, and to-day one of our planes was shot down with the loss of four or five members of the crew. A number of pilots are already with the 11.A.F., participating in the defence of Britain, Important formations of bombers and fighters have gone overseas, and a great training effort justifies tho hope that our squadrons will soon take a still more active part in the Allied cause.” TRANSFERRED TO NAVY PRESUMED TO HAVE LOST HIS LIFE [Pbk United Pkess Association.] AUCKLAND, October 9. News that Mr Joseph William Watson (28), serving as an assistant cook and baker in the Navy, is presumed to have lost his life on war service on Juno 29 lias been received by Mr E. J. Watson, secretary of the Auckland Bakers’ Union. Mr AVatson, jun., went to sea in the merchant service in June, 1939. and a month after the outbreak of war transferred to the Navy.