SIXTH NIGHT RAID

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 245, 13 September 1940, Page 8

SIXTH NIGHT RAID

NOT SO SEVERE EFFECTIVE BARRAGE. LONDONERS HEARTENED. (United Press Association —Copyright-) (British Official Wireless.) (Bee. 1.40 p.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 12. Londoners heard their sixth consecutive night air raid warning at .9.10 p.m. after having had one other warning in the afternoon. A heavy barrage immediately began from the antiaircraft guns,' while a few searchlights could be seen. Although the warning was still m operation at 11.30 p.m., the barrage v/as not consistently heavy, and was obviously being held in reserve for successive efforts to penetrate by cnciny machines. The new anti-aircraft barrage used on Wednesday night in the defence of London, which is described in the Press as “the heaviest ever put up in the defence of any city,” had a reassuring effect on Londoners who, though standing the strain of the ferocious German air attack with admirable calm, were delighted to realise from tlie new noises overhead that the Germing airmen were receiving an unusually warm welcome. When it was gathered what the new aerial inferno meant, comment was heard everywhere to-day that no music was more pleasant to ears attuned to the “crump” of bombs, and the drone of enemy bombers, and though only fitful sleep was rendered possible this was regarded as a matter of rejoicing rather than complaint. A statement that this new barrage method is likely to be continued and even get better has been greeted with great satisfaction. Bombs have fallen in recent raids near several important buildings,' and a flat formerly occupied by. Mr Churchill was hit. Madam Tussaud’s building, which was damaged, includes waxworks. a cinema, and restaurant. The majority of the wax models (including that of Hitler) are undamaged. WEDNESDAY’S TOLL. An Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security communique states that fuller reports of the casualties'Caused by the enemy’s attacks on London on Wednesday night show that 40 were killed and approximately 170 injured. On Wednesday the earlier attacks during the afternoon resulted in 125 being killed and approximately 250 injured. Thursday’s enemy’s activities consisted of attacks by single aircraft on a number of places. A few bombs fell on several towns in Southern England and one town in the north-east, where an hotel and some houses were damaged. There were some casualties, though very few are reported to be serious. Attacks in the south also caused damage to houses in several districts. The casualties have been few, but a small number of fatalities have occurred in South Coast towns. One enemy bomber was shot down by fighters during these attacks.