PALACE DAMAGED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 September 1940, Page 5

PALACE DAMAGED

BY DELAYED ACTION BOMB HUNDREDS OF WINDOWS BROKEN. KING & QUEEN ABSENT AT TIME; ■ (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) RUGBY, September 11. A delayed-action bomb, which fell in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, exploded in the early hours of yesterday. Considerable damage, including the breaking of hundreds of windows, was done to the palace by the force of the explosion. The bomb fell in the palace gardens, close to the garden entrance and the Belgian Suite, and buried itself in the ground, while last night’s raid was in progress. The bomb exploded with terrific force, wrecking steps and stone balustrades on the north side of the palace. Among the hundreds of windows shattered were those of the King’s and Queen's private apartments. Pieces of masonry were thrown completely over the top of the palace and fell in an inner quadrangle. while other pieces smashed the glass roof of the entrance to the Grand Hall. The King and Queen were spending the weekend at Windsor when the bomb fell, but when the King returned to London yesterday morning he was told of the occurrence and this morning ho and the Queen inspected the crater and also the damaged part of the palace.

BIG CRATER FORMED NEAR QUARTERS OF KING OF NORWAY. (Received This Day. 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, September 11. The Belgian suite at Buckingham Palace, near which the time bomb fell, was occupied by King Haakon of Norway. The bomb, which is believed to have been a 250-pounder. made a crater 10 feet deep by 20 feet wide, forcing up the stone slabs of the terrace. It broke the huge ‘columns of the swimming pool building. Masonry was sent flying into the air and splintered glass fell over the wide green lawns and small pieces .of masonry fell on roofs. Broken glass showered the Picture Gallery and the Chinese Room was slightly damaged. Their Majesties the King and Queen and Mi- Winston Churchill yesterday inspected the damage. Workmen were today busy clearing up the debris. DAMAGE & CASUALTIES SUFFERED IN MIDLANDS. LONDON. September 11. Raiders last night flew over the north-west of England, the Midlands, and the south-east, where eight bombs were dropped in the centre of a town, demolishing a number of buildings. Wales was subjected to a heavy raid for several hours. Bombs fell in the centre of a town and a number of persons were injured.