FORMATIONS BROKEN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 254, 24 September 1940, Page 7

FORMATIONS BROKEN

RAIDERS NEAR LONDON

STERLING DEFENCE.

(United Press Association—Copyright.)

(British Official Wireless.)

(Rec. 10 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 23 Four large formations of German raiders are reported to have attempted to reach London this morning by three routes over the Kent coast. Essex coast, and Thames Estuary.

The enemy planes were broken up by British fighters and anti-aircraft fire, but a few are reported’ to have reached the London area, where there was a brief alert warning. Authoritative reports so far received indicate that five enemy spreraft were shot down by fighters during the morning’s engagements. Press messages which await confirmation state that altogether 15 enemy machines were destroyed. An Air Ministry and Ministry, of Home Security communique states: “Enemy activities consisted of attacks by relays of single aircraft. The main objective was again London, where the attacks were widely scattered. Houses and industrial premises were damaged in several localities and there were a number of casualties, some fatal. Bombs also fell in some south-eastern towns and there was some damage and several casualties.” GERMAN BOASTS. A German High Command source estimates that the Germans since August 10 have dropped over .fifty million pounds of bombs on Britain, destroying or seriously damaging 6000 . factories and industrial plants of which 1400 were in the London area. The German authorities claim that they have strengthened their own defences which halt the British raiders near Potsdam. German raiders appeared over Central London, and high-explosives demolished a number of houses in NorthWest London. Several persons are reported to, have been killed when a high explosive bomb crashed on a section of a large block of flats. South-West London arid coastal towns were also attacked. Low-flying raiders bombed a working-class district in a south-western town and damaged 24 houses. TRAIN BOMBED.

A passenger train was bombed and machine-gunned while standing at a south-east country station. Eveiy window in the train was blown out, but there were no casualties.

Seven refugees of different nationalities were killed and a number injured when a high-explosive bomb directly hit a large block of West End flats. They had been sheltering in the basement for only 20 minutesfollowing the destruction of their own home 100 yards away by a time bomb.

Four more German planes have been shot down.