ENEMY RAIDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 August 1940, Page 6

ENEMY RAIDS

ATTACKS ON FOLKESTONE & DOVER FORMATIONS BROKEN UP. NOT MANY BRITISH CASUALTIES. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) RUGBY, August 26. An Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security communique issued at 9.15 p.m. states: "At about noon, enemy bombers, escorted by fighters, approached the south-east coast and split into several parts, some attacking the balloon barrage at Dover and others dropping bombs at Folkestone, where buildings in the centre of the town were hit. but the number of casualties was small. "The remainder of the force came inland for some distance, but turned back when they were engaged by our fighters. Their formation was broken up and they were pursued out to sea. During the afternoon a large number of enemy aircraft entered the Thames Estuary and approached London, but were engaged and scattered by fighters and by anti-aircraft guns. Some dropped bombs in Essex, causing a little damage and a few casualties.

“Later an attack was made on the Portsmouth area, but met with no success. No casualties are reported. During the day a small number of casualties, some fatal, were caused by bombs dropped in several country districts in the course of isolated enemy attacks. Bombs were also dropped in the Scilly Isles, but there were no casualties.

"Full reports of today’s many actions are not yet available, but it is known that at least 37 enemy aircraft were destroyed. Fifteen of our aircraft were lost, but the pilots of six are safe.”