GERMAN THREATS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24399, 10 September 1940, Page 8

GERMAN THREATS

RAIDS AS REPRISALS BRITISH AIR ATTACKS A BERLIN COMMUNIQUE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) o LONDON, Sept, 6\ ': A Berlin communique states: — Our Air Force again attacked objectives of special military and economic value in London yesterday with exceptionally . strong forces, using the heaviest calibre bombs. These attacks were reprisals for the British night attacks on residential quarters and other non-military objectives. Reichmarshal Goering personally conducted the operations, from '.-North' France. One million kilogrammes of bombs of all calibres thus' far have fallen in the harbour and industrial areas of the Thames, hitting and partially destroying quaysides, mer--

chantmen, docks, warehouses, power, water and gasworks, l also arsenals, factories and traffic communications. Enormous conflagrations are raging in the vicinity of the, docks. Powerful advance fighters fought the way for the bombers, which also attacked large oil depots and dock installations at Thameshaven, explosive factories at Chatham, and an aerodrome at Hawkinge. Bombers also raided industrial and harbour targets at Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Bristol, Southampton; Portsmouth, Portland and 10 other localities. The enemy flew oyer Germany. One wave headed south-west-ward, j bombing sporadically, but causing no damage:. Another formation of British bombers attempted to raid Berlin, but was forced back by concentrated defence action. It dropped bombs prematurely, damaging a church at Hamm. The enemy yesterday lost 94 planes. Twentysix of ours are missing. A"'U-boat sank four armed enemy merchantmen totalling 33,400 tpns, and damaged a 4000-ton vessel and. two torpedo boats. 'lt encountered, a strongly-guarded convoy and sank three heavily-laden steamers totalling 11,000 tons. A German prize crew scuttled a captured enemy merchantman after meeting a British warship. : A news agency says it is threatened that London will be bombed with millions of pounds of bombs while the British night attacks continue against non-military objectives. Reich-marshal Goering said: "A terrific attack is progressing against London. Herr Hitler has entrusted me with the task of attacking the heart of the British Empire."