ENEMY RAIDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 June 1940, Page 5

ENEMY RAIDS

ON ENGLISH EAST COAST BOMBS DROPPED ON VILLAGE GREEN. SIX PERSONS SUFFER MINOR INJURIES. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, June 6. There was an air raid warning on the east coast late last night. Aeroplanes were heard and then explosions. Another air raid warning sounded on the east coast early today. Fighters went up and anti-aircraft guns went into action. One raider is reported to have been brought down after dropping bombs on a village green. There were no casualties and little damage was done. The Air Ministry stated that enemy aeroplanes dropped incendiary bombs in rural districts of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Thames-side during the night, apparently attempting to locate and attack R.A.F. aerodromes. No damage is reported except in Lincolnshire, where a house was set on fire.

High explosives were also used on two attacks, but no nerious damage was done. Six persons received minor injuries. FIRST SERIOUS ATTEMPT PLANES FLY AT GREAT HEIGHT. ONLY SLIGHT DAMAGE DONE. (Received This Day, 10.0 a.m.) LONDON, June 6. The air raids on England are described in some quarters as Germany’s first serious attempt at a big raid on England and have brought numerous towns and villages on the east and south coasts within the battlefront. The raiders apparently flew at enormous heights. A considerable number of small high-explosive bombs fell in Norfolk, killing a horse, but most districts report that only incendiary bombs were dropped, which fell into fields of growing crops and illuminated small areas. They were intended to reveal the nature of the territory. The damage was only slight anywhere.

ANTLAIRCRAFT FIRE REPORTED IN CENTRAL FRANCE. (Received This Day, 10.0 a.m.) LONDON, June 6. Violent anti-aircraft action was reported in Central France at 1.10 a.m. and again at 9.30 a.m. PLANES BROUGHT DOWN TN NOMANDY & CENTRAL FRANCE. (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) PARIS, June 6. The radio warns the populace not to be anxious about measures in Paris and elsewhere and also warns against a possible landing of parachutists and troop planes. Seven enemy planes were shot down in the Normandy region during several air raid alarms last night. Three further planes were brought down in the central region. A number of persons were wounded as a result of raids in Central France and several houses were wrecked.

> R.A.F. ACTIVITIES WIDELY-EXTENDED ATTACKS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.28 a.m.) RUGBY, June G. The Air Ministry announced: "During yesterday, R.A.F. medium bombers carried out a series of attacks on enemy lines of communication leading to the Somme battlefield. Our fighters, operating from France, maintained offensive patrols throughout the day. Six enemy aircraft were destroyed. One of our fighters was shot down. “Throughout the night, medium and heavy bombers of the R.A.F. attacked enemy troop concentrations and harassed enemy movements behind the fighting front. Other formations of heavy bombers struck at junctions and marshalling yards west of the Ruhr, while others attacked military objectives in Germany. Two of our aircraft are missing. "Aircraft of the Coastal Command made a further raid on oil fuel depots in Belgium. “When the aircraft of the Coastal Command again raided Ghent early in the morning, the pilots not only bombed the oil tanks which the Germans have captured, but flew low and machine-gunned their targets. Direct hits with heavy bombs were made on several tanks, and the fires of blazing oil could be seen many miles away.”