CRITICAL MONTH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 242, 10 September 1940, Page 7

CRITICAL MONTH

OPINION IN LONDON.

GERMANS’ NIGHT RAIDS

(United Press Association —Copyright;) (.British Official Wireless.)

(Rec. 10 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 9. The present month is regarded in informed quarters as probably the most critical period of the war. Having suffered considerable losses in their daylight air attacks, the Nazis now appear Lo be concentrating 1 on night bombings, especially on London.

They are carrying out these operations with a much smaller number of aeroplanes and, of course, with a far higher degree of immunity. The attacks of the last two nights were probably assisted by the only successful day attack —that of Saturday afternoon —which the German air force has yet succeeded in obtaining, and then only at very great loss. London, however, as well as other centres of highly-concentrated population, must face the certainty of a continuation of night bombing. It is pointed out that the problem of the interception of the night bomber has not yet been solved, although British experts are hopeful of reaching a satisfactory answer before the Germans are able to do so.

Meanwhile, it is stressed that an efficient black-out is the best defence. Taking last night’s maids as an example, authoritative circles explain the difficulties which are encountered by the defence, both interceptor • and ground. So far as interceptors are concerned, their task of finding an opponent flying in darkness at 300 miles an hour is obviously very difficult. KING’S INSPECTION.

The King to-day made a three-hour tour of the areas in East and SouthEast London which have suffered most from the enemy bombing. His Majesty, who travelled up from Windsor specially to make the tour, commented upon the wonderful bravery of the people in these areas who, though many of them have been rendered homeless and have suffered personal bereavement, appeared cheerful and gave the King the warmest reception. At many places which the King visited air raid precaution workers were still hard at work, and His Majesty had occasion to congratulate the various services for their good work and courage. Later the King drove to a road where a huge bomb had struck and completely destroyed a row of eight houses. The King clambered up the huge pile of debris in front of a crater 75ft wide and 50ft deep. Dirtbegrimed air raid precaution workers ivere still searching here for bodies, and one man showed the King a big piece of the bomb. _ . The King saw many other buildings, including a big block of flats which had moved one yard as a result of a bomb explosion, but which had not fallen down. The Air Ministry has announced that the casualties for last night are not yet assessable, but it is not expected that they will exceed Saturday’s figure. The King during his tour was obviously moved. He saw workers still searching lor bodies. . Raiders last night bombed a hospital in the London area which was unoccupied and reserved for raid casualties. They reduced a three storey wing to rubble, and another wing was damaged. A bomb striking a museum caused a fire which burned off the roof of the east wing. Another bomb demolished a house immediately opposite and a third damaged another house nearby. Another museum in the London area was also damaged. It is authoritatively estimated that at least 150 enemy machines, mostly operating singly, were engaged in last night’s raid. Spitfires are believed to have shot down three Messerschmitts over SouthEast London this evening, when big bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked the Metropolis. Some bombed the Inner London area.