GERMANS DRIVEN OFF LONDON

Southland Times, Issue 24244, 30 September 1940, Page 5

GERMANS DRIVEN OFF LONDON

Enemy activity over Britain on Saturday consisted of three main operations. They are described in a joint communique issued by the Air Ministry and the Ministry of Home Security on Saturday night. It stated: — “Early this morning and shortly after midday forces of enemy aircraft crossed the south-east coast and attempted to reach London. They were engaged by strong forces of our fighters and broken up. In the first of these attacks a few enemy machines penetrated to east London. A small number of bombs was dropped, but very little damage appears to have been done and the casualties reported are few. SOUTH COAST TOWN BOMBED “In the second attack no enemy aircraft succeeded in reaching London, but several bombs were dropped on a south coast town. Some houses were damaged, but no casualties have been reported. Later in the afternoon an enemy force approached the Portsmouth area. They were immediately engaged by our fighters and driven off. There are no reports of any bombs having been dropped.” An Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security communique says that

enemy air attacks during Friday night were again directed mainly against London. Bombs were dropped in many parts of the capital and suburbs and surrounding areas. Damage was caused to houses, commercial and industrial premises and other buildings. Fires caused by incendiary bombs were all brought under control, most of them being quickly extinguished. A number of casualties was reported. On the Mersey side some houses were damaged and a small number of casualties was reported. Bombs which fell in other parts of south Lancashire did very little damage. In several Midland towns some damage was done to houses and buildings, but the casualties were few. Bombs were also dropped in several districts between London and the South Coast, in certain areas in southwest England and some other localities. In all these areas the great majority of bombs did no harm, but in some few places houses were damaged. The number of casualties reported from all these areas was small. About nightfall on Friday a few bombs were dropped in east Scotland, but no damage or casualties were reported. The total number of enemy aircraft destroyed on Friday was 133. One pilot previously reported missing is now known to be safe.