RAID REPULSED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20036, 7 September 1939, Page 5

RAID REPULSED

LONDON ESCAPES BOMBERS ON THE COAST ENEMY INTERCEPTED ONE GERMAN PLANE DOWN DOG FIGHT OVER CHATHAM (F.loc. Tfil. Copyright —United Press Assn.) (Reed. Sept. 7, 11.36 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 6. It is officially announced that enemy aircraft was reported near the East Coast of England early this morning, but did not penetrate the British defences. No damage is reported. The Ministry of Information later stated that anti-aircraft units and fighters had repulsed enemy bombers. One British machine had crashed, and another had been forced down. The pilot of the first plane was wounded in the head. v The pilot of the second comgiancleered a car, drove to his airport, re-ascended and reengaged the enemy. A dog-fight between British and German planes was reported between Rochester and Chatham. Twenty raiders going toward London were intercepted by gunfire and by Spitfire machines. It is believed that at least one German plane was brought down. Sounding of Alarm The alai-m was sounded in London at 6.42 a.m., and continued until 9.02 a.m. No planes were seen, and no gunfire heard. There was no sign of panic. People remained in their cellars for the first half-hour, after which they emerged and went to their offices. Transport was stopped, and people journeyed to the City on foot, carrying their “lunch boxes," as the gasmasks have been nicknamed. Gunfire and earth shocks are reported from the east and west of London. It is Unofficially stated that German planes were seen, and driven oft", at Chatham. Gunfire was heard, and shellbursts seen, south-east of Ilford. An earlier unconfirmed report stated that the sound of gunfire was audible along the Thames, suggesting an action in the vicinity of the Thames Estuary. Gunfire on the eastern horizon was visible from London rooftops last night.