BOMBING OF SECOND RAILWAY STATION

Southland Times, Issue 24230, 13 September 1940, Page 5

BOMBING OF SECOND RAILWAY STATION

Hits On Famous Airport LONDON DEFENCES PUT UP GREAT BARRAGE (United Press Association —Telegraph Copyright) (Received September 12, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 11.

The Royal Air Force again raided Berlin last night. At midnight bombs were dropped on a railway station near the Potsdam Station, which was heavily bombed the night before. The station buildings and tracks were damaged, the attack being pressed home by the aid of parachute flares. The airmen also bombed an anti-aircraft battery in the Tiergarten and the Templehof aerodrome, one of Berlin’s main airports. All the British aircraft returned.

The German version of the raid said that it lasted for 92 minutes. They admitted that a factory was set on fire, and alleged that Mr Churchill had instructed the men to miss military objectives.

Italian troops are reported ■to be moving to the Egyptian frontier from Port Capuzzo. There is no reason to suppose that German troops have joined up with the Italians.

The Royal Air Force carried out raids in East Libya and started fires at several aerodromes.

The greatest air barrage ever known was put up by the London anti-aircraft defence last night, the fifth night of the terror raids. It was effective, because damage was less and casualties were fewer than on previous nights. The barrage was a surprise to Londoners, as well as the enemy. No searchlights were used, but the sky was lit by the flicker of gunfire like summer lightning. Guns of all calibres were pointed upwards and fired at top speed, creating a terrific noise and literally filling the sky with bursting shells.

The Germans yesterday lost 89 planes, 80 being shot down by Royal Air Force fighters and nine by anti-air-craft gunners. The Polish squadron shot down 14 German planes. Britain lost 24 fighter planes, but 10 pilots are safe.