RAID ON BIGGER SCALE

Southland Times, Issue 24227, 10 September 1940, Page 7

RAID ON BIGGER SCALE

"ALL CLEAR” SIGNAL AFTER 94 HOURS

FIRES BLAZING IN MANY TARTS

(United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright)

(Received September 9,- 8.15 p.m.)

LONDON, September 8.

Two minutes after the sirens sounded tonight enemy planes were reported over the south-east of England. Immediately after the warning one of the heaviest anti-aircraft bombardments since the beginning of the mass raids opened up in the outer district of London. Raiders also approached London from another direction.

Anti-aircraft guns also went into action in central London within a few seconds of the alarm, after which came the scream of falling bombs. Another wave of raiders approached the east London area three-quarters of an hour later. The “all clear” signal sounded after nine hours and a-half. It was evident that the scale of tonight’s raid exceeded Saturday night’s raid.

Further salvoes produced more fires which are blazing in many parts. A bomb landed outside a big London newspaper office. The workers, who were sheltering, escaped injury. A Port of London Authority official states: “While the docks are considerably damaged the port of London is not immobilized. The principal discharging and loading berths are intact. The loss of foodstuffs is not severe and the services are well maintained.” COURAGE OF LONDONERS The quiet courage and endurance of Londoners is remarked on by all who have visited different areas after the heavy German air attack last night. Despite the fact that they have read in the Press of damage to docks, a greyhound racing track, and a variety theatre, and also that they themselves have seen various small houses wrecked as a result of the German bombing, people in the districts affected from the East End of London to the crowded southern suburbs are going quietly on with their usual affairs and to many the fact that the pressure of gas in their own homes is not at its usual strength and, therefore, makes the cooking of the midday meal a longer business, is the only visible sign of the damage which led to the dislocation of transport in certain areas of south and east London. Alternative routes of travel have been put into operation and special services improvised. At the same time willing volunteers are helping more of those families who have had to leave their homes either as a result of the actual bombing damage or of their area being made temporarily dangerous to live in. Probably the most important reaction is that the Londoners realize that the Germans are redoubling the fury of the attack and are bracing themselves to meet the onslaught. DIRECT HIT ON SHELTER A bomb striking an East London shelter in which 1000 persons were taking refuge, including many mothers and babies, produced agonizing scenes. At least 14 persons were killed and 50 seriously injured. The bomb, by a million to one chance, fell directly down the ventilator shaft. It was the only vulnerable place in the powerfully protected shelter.

Mothers were killed outright and

babies were swept from their perambulators. The roof support pillars were torn down and the occupants lay in stunned heaps. Members of the Civil Defence Corps laboured fearlessly among the debris. Nine doctors answered calls and saved lives by improvising tourniquets and dressing wounds by the dim glow of torches. Three

children in one family were killed. The parents escaped.

The shelter today presented a tragic picture. Perambulators and corrugated iron sheeting lay entangled, with heaps of bedclothing, pillows, blackened gasmasks, toys and the remains of meals. A tar distillery on the north bank of the Thames was still burning fiercely this morning. The matron of a hospital in East London stated that two wards were demolished. There were some deaths, but it is not possible at present to say how many. The Air states tonight that the final reports show that 11 more enemy aircraft, were destroyed by antiaircraft guns during Saturday’s engagements. This brings the total shot down by fighters and anti-aircraft guns to 99. Anti-aircraft fire accounted for 21 of these in all. One of the British fighter pilots reported missing on Saturday has returned safely. An air expert estimates that since the start of the intensive air warfare against Britain Germany has lost in trained personnel more than 4000 airmen. Official statistics show that from June 17 to September 6 1688 enemy aircraft of all types were destroyed. Of these up to the end of August 686 were heavy bombers and 408 'fighter bombers. Thus the German losses are out of all proportion to British losses. The figures show that during the last week ended Friday Germany was deprived of at least 800 trained airmen, against 57 British pilots, for although 143 fighter machines were lost by the British 86 pilots were announced safe.