GERMAN BOMBS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 June 1940, Page 5

GERMAN BOMBS

DROPPED IN SEVERAL PARTS OF ENGLAND

NUMBER OF CIVILIAN CASUALTIES BRITISH FIGHTERS ACTIVE. AIR MINISTRY REPORT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, June 25. The most widespread air-raid alarms, since the declaration of war were sounded in England last night and bombs, some of them incendiary, are reported to have been dropped in several sections.

Waves of German planes were reported over all sections, including London, for the first time since September. Warnings were sounded in London after bombs were dropped in south-east and south-west England. When several bombs were dropped shortly after midnight in south-west England anti-aircraft guns fired on the raiders. Two planes were seen over Wales, but no bombs were dropped. In south-east England explosions were heard. Three waves of enemy planes passed over one area, proceeding inland. British fighters were most active. In some cases several hours elapsed before the all-clear signal was given. The damage was most severe in the south-west, where three civilians were killed and 13 injured. A bomb fell through the roof of a .hotel. Some houses were damaged when another bomb fell in the front garden of a house. Fires were started in some places by incendiary bombs, but those were soon brought under control by fire brigades. Elsewhere six civilians were injured. There were no casualties in the London area.

An official communique by the Air Ministry states:—“Enemy aeroplanes made attacks over a widespread area of England in the hours of darkness last night, and air-raid warnings were sounded in many districts, including the region of London. A number of bombs were dropped in the Eastern Counties and Midlands, most of which fell in open country and caused no serious damage. Bombs also fell in a town in south-west England, where three civilians were killed, and also six were injured elsewhere. No damage is reported from the London area.”

Five people were killed and at least 20 injured in Monday night’s air raids on England, Daventry reports.

SEARCH OF DEBRIS TWO PERSONS MISSING. BIGGEST RAID SINCE WAR BROKE OUT. (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 25. It is feared that the air raid death roll may reach five. The police and the A.R.P. are searching the ruins of a house in a south-west town for two (persons who are missing. Thirteen were injured in the raid, the biggest since the outbreak of war. Many bombs were dropped in south-west England. Explosions were audible in a Midlands town and in south-eastern and north-eastern areas. Flashes and heavy thuds followed the operation of a searchlight in north-east England, shortly before midnight and people rushed to shelters before the warning was officially given. Several German planes passed and explosions followed, indicating that bombs were dropping in the surrounding countryside. Enemy machines appeared from the north, north-east and north-west, flying at a great height, and disappeared inland. South-Eastwards, Windows in nearly every house in one district were broken.

A bomb fell into the front garden of a house, blowing out the entire front of the house' and severely damaging ether houses. Incendiary bombs started fires in several places in this town, but the outbreaks were soon controlled. The matron of a hospital, situated next to the house where two persons are missing, said the patients behaved splendidly. Child patients were taken to a shelter in the basement and patients unable to walk were brought to the ground floor in a lift. Several of the hospital windows were broken, but the patients were not injured. A bomb fell behind a Congregational manse, shattering the windows of the manse and also the church windows. ■

Two planes were seen over Wales, but no bombs were dropped. Londoners went to work in the morning, with their customary calm and cheerfulness, after the first alarm since last September.

ENEMY BASES ATTACKED BY BRITISH PLANES. An Air Ministry communique, broadcast by Daventry, states that R.A.F. bombers attacked bases in German-oc-cupied territory from which enemy bombers set out to attack England. Operations were continued during the night when aerodromes in the Rhineland were also bombed. Other formations attacked a naval base and oil depots, marshalling yards and aircraft works in Germany. All the British aircraft returned safely.

In the Middle East R.A.F. bombers attacked military objectives at several points.

ENEMY REPORT

(Received This Day. 10.40 a.m.)

BERLIN. June 25

The High Command states: “During the night of June 24-25, fighter units carried out flights over central England and bombed aerodromes and aircraft works. ( British planes again flew over western Germany, without causing any damage to military objectives. "The Navy's anti-aircraft fire brought down' two British planes oil' the North Sea coast”