RAIDS ON BRITAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 June 1940, Page 5

RAIDS ON BRITAIN

NIGHT OF WIDESPREAD WARNINGS BOMBS DROPPED IN NUMBER OF AREAS. SIX PERSONS INJURED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 8.55 a.m.) LONDON, June 7. Britain had the biggest night of air-raid warnings since the outbreak of war, far more widespread than on the previous night, covering arears as far apart as the counties of Durham and Hampshire. Warnings ranged from 40 minutes to over three hours. They were also reported from parts of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Norfolk, Kent and Sussex. The bombs dropped at Lincolnshire were of light calibre and fell on roofs and outbuildings. Six persons were injured, three of whom were sent to hospital. R.A.F. fighters were active over the Channel during the greater part of the south coast alarm. A north-east coast town heard planes, but no bombs were dropped. A plane flying over a southern county dropped flares. Searchlights were active in Norfolk and Suffolk, where numerous flares were seen. An early morning raid over Surrey lasted for half an hour, but there was no firing. Huntingdonshire also had its first warning, but it is unknown whether there is any damage. Gunfire was heard. Eleven counties had warnings during the night.

A Daventry broadcast states that in enemy air raids in Britain during the night many high-explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped. Warnings were sounded in 12 counties. A bomb which fell bn an aerodrome killed an airman. Elsewhere the raids were ineffective. OFFICIAL REPORT ATTACKING PLANES FLY AT GREAT HEIGHT. LITTLE DAMAGE DONE. LONDON, June 7. A joint Air Ministry and Home Security communique says that this morning Britain had one of its longest air raid warnings of the war. Enemy aircraft crossed the east and south coasts, and it was three hours before the all-clear signal was given. The raid was over an extended area. High explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped, presumably for the purpose of hitting aerodromes, but thej planes were flying very high and little damage was done. In one town six people received minor injuries and one building was damaged. Anti-aircraft defences went into action in numerous areas and British fighters set out to intercept the enemy. Gunfire was heard in several district. ONE AIRMAN KILLED ATTACKS ELSEWHERE INEFFECTIVE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) RUGBY, June 7. An Air Ministry communique states that further reports of last night’s raids on England show that at one Royal Air Force aerodrome bombs were dropped on a flare path, killing one airman. Elsewhere the attacks were ineffective.