REGENT STREET DAMAGED

Southland Times, Issue 24231, 14 September 1940, Page 5

REGENT STREET DAMAGED

NEW ZEALAND HOUSE EVACUATED (United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright) (Received September 13, 11.25 p.m.) LONDON, September 13. A delayed action bomb extensively damaged the fronts of three shops in Regent street this evening. The windows of buildings on both sides of the street were blown out and the Piccadilly Hotel was slightly damaged. Raiders dropped a number of incendiary bombs in north-west, suburbs., Their planes droned towards central London, where the gunfire rose to a shattering roar, rattling windows and spraying shrapnel on rooftops and streets. Then followed a long interval of silence, suggesting that fewer planes were participating or the barrage had prevented penetration of the outer defences. The Midlands had the longest raid of the war, extending several hours. High explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped over a wide area. A mental hospital was hit. There is no foundation for the Berlin claim that a bomb hit Reuters building L Fleet street. The building is in fact untouched. The Air Ministry states that New Zealand pilots participated when two

squadrons of Hawker Hurricanes yesterday ferociously attacked a formation of 150 bombers which was bound for London and was escorted by fighters. The squadrons sent down 18 raiders and probably others. BOMBS NEARBY New Zealand House was one of a number of important buildings evacuated. because of the discovery of unexploded bombs in their vicinity. A de-layed-action bomb lies outside St. Paul’s Cathedral and the area was cleared. The bomb in the Strand near New Zealand House was of large calibre. It exploded in the evening. Premises damaged by the raids of the past few days include Madame Tussauds, The Daily Herald and The- Evening Standard offices.

It is now revealed that places damaged during recent raids include the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Westminster, also Regent street and buildings near the Bank of England. Five rescuers were killed when a timebomb exploded near a school in East London in which hundreds were trapped. ,z

To alleviate the distress caused by the indiscriminate bombing of London, the Lord Mayor, Sir William Coxen, is appealing for help and has opened a Mansion House fund to which the King has sent £lOOO, the Queen £5OO, Queen Mary £5OO, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester £250, and the Duke and Duchess of Kent £2OO. Other large gifts have been promised, including a substantial donation from the American Ambassador, Mr Joseph Kennedy, from funds under his control, and from the London County Council. It is believed that fewer than 12 were killed at Dever during yesterday’s bombing and shelling. Rescue squads are still digging in the debris. Those

killed include a three months’ old baby, a sentry and an aircraftsman, who was’ pinned under the wreckage for hours and repeatedly assured the, rescuers, “I am all right,” but died when he was freed.

The Rome radio stated that one of the German generals who is directing the offensive against Britain participated in yesterday’s raids over London. His plane was hit, but he safely landed in France. The German News Agency states that Field-Marshal Walther von Brauchitsch, Commander-in-Chief of the German armies in the field, has completed a tour of inspection of Northern France and the Atlantic coast.