AIR BASES REMAIN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 248, 17 September 1940, Page 8

AIR BASES REMAIN

SOUTH-EASTERN ENGLAND. / BLITZKRIEG FAILURE. (United Press Association— Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 12.45 p.in.). RUGBY, Sept. 16. The triumph of the R.A.F. bh Sunday demonstrated very definitely the failure of the great effort by the German air force to drive the 11.A.t. fighters from their bases in the southeastern coastal areas. Not one of these bases had to be abandoned permanently, although some have suffered severe damage from time tip time. The number of German machines brought down day after day oyer the south-eastern coastal districts is sufficent evidence of the efficiency of the R.A.F.’s bases in that area. SINGLE RAIDERS. BARRAGE IN LONDON. (Rec. 1.50 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 16. During the fourth warning to aay the raiders flew singly from all directions to and from London, taking full advantage of the clouds. Eleven bombs fell within a radius of 300 yards, in' a_ residential district. The majority exploded in the soft earth of gardens. . ' Anti-aircraft guns went into action in Central London immediately after che fifth alarm. The planes were soon heard, after which the barrage was intensified. SUNDAY’S ITUGE TOTAL. GERMANS LOSE 187 PLANES. (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 1.50 p.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 16. London’s fifth alert signal was still in forco at midnight. The total “bag” of German planes on Sunday was 187, including the victim of minesweepers, also that or the vessel Port Auckland, which shot down a German bomber over tlie Thames. NEW ZEALAND HOUSE. EXPLOSION OF BOMB. (Rec. 2.5 pan.) LONDON, Sept. 16. The New Zealand Prime Ministers message appreciating their, steadfastness in the “airblitz” lias, greatly encouraged the High Commissioner St The bomb which caused the evacuation of New Zealand House on September 12 was discovered early in the morning by Mr Picket, a young member of the staff. Hastily collecting the cyphers and secret codes the entire staff next day worked at the New Zealand Forces’ Club, formerly an Italian building, thus returning hospitality, for the club had been evacuated on the day previously when a time bomb fell opposite. , New Zealand House was slightly damaged when the bomb, exploded. Although the roar was hoard miles away, merelv some windows were shatter eel and wooden palings and brickwork ' damaged, and the total damage -is only a few* pounds’ worth. Members of the staff were not injured. . An air liaison officer and his iamilj bad a remarkable' escape duo to a "hunch.” He evacuated his wife and two children from a fiat and they- slept the-next night in a shelter. Returning to the flat in the morning they found the building demolished by a direct hit. , . , An incendiary bomb fell in the Strand during a recent daylight raid. A New Zealand soldier leaning against a wall nonchalantly rubbed out the j bomb with his foot. AUSTRALIAN FUND. (Rec. 1.50 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 17. Tho City Council and County Council are each contributing £25.000 to the fund to aid the victims of the German bombing in Britain.