DESPERATE EFFORTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 October 1940, Page 5

DESPERATE EFFORTS

MADE BY ENEMY AIR RAIDERS Few Penetrate to London Area FORMATIONS BROKEN UP OVER KENT AND SOUTH COAST STRONG FORCES OF AIRCRAFT EMPLOYED German raiders made desperate efforts to attack various , parts of Britain yesterday and were at it again last night, 8.8. C. broadcast reports. After eleven hours respite, Londoners heard the sound of air raid warnings earlier than usual and the crash of the anti-aircraft barrage heralded the approach of raiders. Some bombs were dropped in Central London. One is said to have hit an empty bus. In yesterday’s attacks the Germans lost 28 planes, po - teen British machines are missing but the pilots of six arc sate. An Air Ministry communique states that some 450 enemy aircraft were engaged in five separate attempts to reach London yesterday. Most of the enemy formations were broken up and dispersed by British fighters in a series of battles over Kent and the south coast. Only in two of the attacks did any oi the enemy planes penetrate to the London area. Very few bombs were dropped. Several houses were demolished, but it is unlikely that the casualties will be heavy, though they in- i elude some people injured. A few attacks were made on SouthWest England. Considerable damage and some casualties were caused in one town by a hit and run raid. It is believed that nearly a quarter of the raiders were destroyed. Ten Specific Targets ATTACKED BY BRITISH BOMBERS On Sunday the R.A.F. carried out many raids on enemy i objectives. Ten specific targets were mentioned in the report of the operations. At Calais <a group of fifty barges was smashed with two bombs dropped from a low height. One of twelve German fighters was shot down. Shipping and barges were attacked elsewhere, besides an aerodrome and various objectives in Holland.