SOME CASUALTIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 September 1940, Page 5

SOME CASUALTIES

DAMAGE DONE TO HOUSES & OTHER BUILDINGS IN NUMBER OF BRITISH DISTRICTS. ATTACKS ON AERODROMES INEFFECTIVE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, August 31. An Air Ministry communique issued at 4.30 p.m. stated: “The enemy attacks against aerodromes in the south-east-ern area were renewed this morning. "Shortly after 7 o’clock a formation of enemy bombers crossed the coast of Kent. R.A.F. fighters intercepted the enemy and the attack was dispersed. Later another force crossed the Thames Estuary and attacked an aerodrome in East Anglia. Some damage was done, but the enemy was driven back by our fighters and suffered loss. Another attack was made on an aerodrome near the Thames Estuary, and this too, was broken by our fighters after a series of engagements, during which bombs were dropped at several points, causing a small number of casualties.

“No reports of any serious damage to aerodromes so far have been receiv-

Earlier the Air Ministry and the Ministry of Home Security, in a communique on raids which were made over the whole country during the hours of darkness, stated: “Enemy attacks during last night were dispersed over many parts of the country. Reports indicate that, though a considerable number of enemy aircraft were engaged, they' did not cause heavy damage. “High-explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped in the London area, apparently haphazardly, and damage was done to houses and buildings in residential districts. Some casualties are reported.

“In a Midland town bombs caused damage to houses, and there were a number of casualties. In other parts of the country bombs were dropped in some urban and many rural areas. Houses and buildings were damaged in a number of districts, and some casualties were caused.” Agency reports say that the raids over the north-west of England were spread over several hours, starting at daylight, and did a certain amount of damage. One explosive bomb caused heavy damage to a building, and it was some time before the fire brigades were able to put out the resultant fire. Among other objectives hit were an air-raid shelter, a factory, a petrol station, and a public house. Working class districts also suffered, and there were some casualties, though most of the people reached their shelters safely. Two air-raid wardens were killed in one district. A market town in the south-east was also attacked, and incendiary bombs started fires, but these were quickly brought under control.