ATTACKS ON LONDON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 September 1940, Page 5

ATTACKS ON LONDON

Much Indiscriminate Bombing By Nazis

Widespread Operations Continued By Royal Air Force

SUCCESSION OF RAIDS HEAVY DAMAGE IN SOME LONDON AREAS Three Hospitals and Two Museums Struck by Bombs DOCKS AGAIN A TARGET OF ATTACK ENEMY MACHINES MOSTLY OPERATE SINGLY An Air Ministry communique, transmitted by Daventry, states that German bombers were again over London last night. Most of the bombs were dropped indiscriminately. The damage was heavy and comprised many targets of a non-military nature, including three hospitals and two museums. The docks were again heavily bombed. It is believed 150 German machines took part in the raid, most of them operating singly. The Air Ministry earlier reported that considerable forces of enemy aircraft approached the London area yesterday afternoon and were heavily engaged. Few machines penetrated the defences and only minor damage was done. Scattered bombs were dropped in South London and many in the outskirts, but no serious damage is reported. While full reports are not yet available the casualties are not expected to be heavy. Some bombs were dropped on a town in Kent and a number of houses were wrecked and several people killed. During Sunday night’s attack, three enemy planes were shot down by anti-aircraft gun fire, making a total of 11 destroyed on Sunday. Full reports of Saturday’s raid show that 28 German planes were destroyed by anti-aircraft gun fire and 75 by fighters, making a total for the day of 103 enemy machines destroyed. A preliminary report of yesterday afternoon’s raid shows that 26 German planes had been destroyed, 24 by fighters and two by anti-aircraft guns. Thirteen British machines are missing, but three of the pilots are safe. The Dover area was shelled last evening by enemy gun fire, which the British returned. The King spent three hours in the East and South-East of London in the areas which have suffered most during the last two days'. Sunday night’s casualties are not likely to be more than those on Saturday, when 306 were killed and 1300 seriously injured. These are lower than was at first reported.

ATTACK ON HAMBURG Relays of British Bombers Start Many Fires MUCH DAMAGE ELSEWHERE TO SHIPPING AND OTHER OBJECTIVES Widespread operations were carried out on Sunday by the R.A.F., Daventry reports. Shipping’ at Dunkirk and Boulogne and convoys in the North Sea were attacked during the day and at night large forces of the R.A.F. attacked shipping and barge concentrations in enemy and enemy-occupied ports. Widespread damage was done to oil tanks and ammunition stores and many fires were started. Thirteen British bombers did not return. An attack on Hamburg was carried out by relays of British bombers for three hours. Salvo after salvo of high-explosive bombs was dropped and hundreds of incendiary bombs were scattered over the target area. Many fires were started.