WIDESPREAD RAIDS BY GERMANS

Southland Times, Issue 24236, 20 September 1940, Page 5

WIDESPREAD RAIDS BY GERMANS

DAMAGE SUFFERED BY CENTRAL LONDON (United Press Association—Telegraph Copyright) (Received September 19, 11.40 p.m.) , LONDON, September 19, German attacks over Great Britain yesterday and last, night were more widespread than usual. London was again attacked at night, when single raiders and small formations flew over and dropped highexplosive bombs, which were scattered blindly Damage was done to 1 central London and suburbs south of the river. It is now known that the Germans lost 48 planes yesterday. One was shot down by anti-aircraft gunfire. Twelve British planes were lost, but the pilots of nine of these are known to be safe. Fires were started by incendiary bombs in many places during the night, but these were all extinguished by the prompt action of householders and members of the Air Raid Precaution squads. In the outer part of London the action was more widespread. It is feared that 90 persons may have been killed and 350 injured in these raids. One German bomber crashed with a full load in south-east London, and it is feared that casualties may be heavy. Slight damage was done in attacks on Merseyside and in Lancashire, where bombs struck commercial buildings, houses and schools. ..Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, Berkshire, Suffolk and the Midlands, the north-east and south-west were also visited by raiders, but no damage was done.