BIG AIR RAID

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 161, 7 June 1940, Page 7

BIG AIR RAID

ATTEMPT ON ENGLAND. FIRE BOMBS DROPPED. DAMAGE ONLY SLIGHT. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received June 7, 9.50 a.m. LONDON, June 6. Air raids oil England yesterday and late last nigfit are described in some quarters as Germany’s first serious attempt at a big 1 raid on England. Tfiey brought numerous towns and villages on tfie East and Soutfi Coasts within tfie battlefront. The raiders apparently flew at enormous heights. A considerable number of small, high-explosive bombs fell in Norfolk, killing a horse, but most districts report that only incendiary bombs were dropped, which fell in fields of growing crops. They illuminated small areas and were intended to reveal the nature of the territory. . The damage was only slight anywhere. The Air Ministry announces: “One of our bombers crashed after striking a bai'rage balloon cable on the northeast coast last night. Two civilians were killed and three injured. One of the bomber’s crew was also killed.” „ Most of the bombs dropped in Essex landed close, to a hoys’ school, hut the chief damage was to growing crops in nearby fields. SEARCH FOR AERODROMES. Early messages stated: There was an air raid warning on the East Coast late last night. Aeroplanes were heard, and then explosions. Another air raid warning sounded on the east coast early to-day. Fighters went up and ainti-airuraft guns went into action. One raider is reported to have been brought down after dropping bombs on a village green. There were no casualties and little damage was done. The Air Ministry stated that enejny aeroplanes dropped incendiary bombs in rural districts of Yorlcshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Thames-side during the night, apparently attempting to locate and attack R.A.F. aerodromes. No damage is reported except in Lincolnshire, where a house was set on fire. High explosives were also used in two attacks, but no serious damage was done. Six persons received minor injuries. An enemy ’plane dropped incendiary bombs in Kent early this morning. One fell in a bedroom in which a mother and baby, also a son aged 13, were sleeping. The occupants escaped by jumping over the flaming bomb. Firemen extinguished this and other fires. • ADVICE TO. CIVILIANS. “Keep your head cool and youi mouth shut, stay put and sit tight,” said General Sir Hugh Elies (Chief of ihe Civil Defence Services), broadcasting on what to do if Britain were invaded. •

, “Germany would like to see our roads thronged with hapless refugees, blocking tlie roads and preventing the advance of our troops. These dangers can be met if everybody is alert and determined not to spread rumours or become a fugitive.” Thousands of local defence volunteers are going to their posts and the “Ironsides” are rapidly forming their personnel including men from Flanders who are familiar with the methods of - parachutists. Tho Paris radio warns the populace not to be anxious about the measures in Paris and elsewhere, and also warns against possible landings by parachutists from troop ’planes. Seven enemy ’planes were shot down in' the Normandy region during several air raid alarms last night. Three further ’planes were brought down in the central region. A number have been wounded as a result of the raids in Central France and several houses have been wrecked. Violent anti-aircraft action was reported in Central France between 1.10 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. Heavy explosions on the French coast was heard yesterday. The Paris radio announced that six of 50 German ’planes which raided tlie Rouen region yesterday were shot down. The Germans earlier raided Central and Western France, dropping many bombs. Anti-aircraft fire was heard in. the south-west suburbs of Paris last night. The airline plant at Badesch, which is blazing to-night after the French ’planes had ignited it with bombs, is the biggest in Germany. eNemy~attacked. BOMBERS’ HEAVY TOLL. (British Official Wireless.) Received June 7, 10.10 a.m. RUGBY, June 6. The Air Ministry announces: “During yesterday R.A,F. medium bombers carried out a series of attacks on enemy lines of communication leading to the Somme battlefield. Our fighters operating from France maintained offensive patrols throughout the day. “Reports so far received show that six enemy aircrn.l were destroyed. One of our fighters was shot down. “Army co-operation aircraft of the R.A.F- carried out a number of successful reconnaissances, during the day. Throughout the night medium and heavy bombers of the R.A.F. attacked enemy troop concentrations and harassed enemy movements behind the fighting front. Other formations of heavy bombers, struck at junctions and marshalling yards west of the Ruhr, while others attacked military objectives in Germany. Two of our aircraft are missing. “Aircraft of tlie Coastal Command made a further raid on til fuel dejiots in Belgium.” OIL TANKS ABLAZE.

When aircraft of the Coastal Command again raided Ghent early this morning the pilots not only bom bed the oil tanks which the Germans had captured, but also flew low and ma-chine-gunned their targets, Direct hits with heavy bombs were made oil several tanks and the blazing oil could he seen many miles away. The flames were so bright, that one pilot, evading a searchlight, was able to climb to SCOOft- and still see Iris target, plainly. He dropped another salvo and started more fires. Then lie dived towards the tanks again and when only 400ft' above them opened fire with his front gun. The rear gunner took up the fire as they passed over: the target, and lie saw tracer bullets setting the oil ablaze.