BLIND BOMBING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 October 1940, Page 5

BLIND BOMBING

BOMBS FALL ON LONDON THROUGH CLOUDS MERSEYSIDE & MIDLANDS VISITED. SLIGHT DAMAGE BUT SOME CASUALTIES. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) RUGBY, October 17. Low cloud hung over London last night and anti-aircraft fire kept raiders above the clouds, from which they dropped bombs blindly. A communique states: “The enemy dropped bombs in several parts of Britain, London being again the chief objective. In a few London districts a number of dwellings were demolished, causing some casualties including several persons killed. There have been no reports of widespread damage in any other parts of London or its suburbs, but in several places in these areas houses were hit and people were killed or injured, Onlf a few industrial buildings were affected. The number of fires caused was small and all were brought under control. The indications are that the casualties have not been heavy. “Bombs were dropped at Merseyside and a town in the Midlands. In both attacks the material damage was slight, but there were some casualties, including a small number of fatalities. “Attacks were made on districts in the Home counties, in South-East and South-West England, Wales and isolated points in England and Scotland. In several places houses and property were damaged. Reports indicate, however, that the general extent of the damage was slight and there have been only a small number of casualties. “Four enemy bombers are known to have been destroyed.” NAZI FORMATIONS BROKEN UP BY BRITISH FIGHTERS IN ATTACKS ON WEDNESDAY. ENEMY TRYING TO HIDE LOSSES. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.7 a.m.) RUGBY, October 17. An Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security communique states: “The enemy made a number of attacks today on South-East England. These were mainly carried out by fighters, flying at a great height. Large forces of our fighters engaged the enemy on each occasion and split up his formations. Few of the enemy succeeded in penetrating to the London area and reports so far received indicate that few bombs were dropped. The damage does not appear to be great and casualties are not expected to be heavy. Other raiders dropped some bombs on coast towns in Kent and a few other points in the south of England, with little effect. “Three enemy aircraft were destroyed today and one of our fighters is missing. Four German aircraft destroyed last night are to be found near Harwich, Bishop’s Stortford, Denbigh and Frome. A German High Command communique has admitted the loss of only two aircraft.” ATTACK ON BREST MADE BY COASTAL COMMAND PLANES POWER STATION BOMBED. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.7 a.m.) RUGBY, October 17. A communique issued by the Air Ministry Mates: —(‘Aircraft of the Coastal Command made a daylight attack today on the power station of the German-occupied naval base at Brest. A number of bombs were dropped and extensive damage was caused.