RAIDS ON BRITAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 December 1940, Page 5

RAIDS ON BRITAIN

HEAVY ENEMY ATTACK ON MANCHESTER FOUR ENEMY BOMBERS SHOT DOWN. IN COASTAL AND OTHER AREAS. A German air attack on Manchester was the most, severe the city has yet suffered, the 8.8.C'. reports. The Air Ministry states that the attack was heavy and lasted for many hours. A large number of fires were started, building were damaged, and a number of people were killed and many injured. The residential parts of Manchester suffered much damage. The fire services worked magnificently to get the fires under control and the work of providing food and shelter for the homeless is well in hand. Other German raids on Sunday night were directed against the Merseyside, the East Midlands and the south of England. In'daylight on Sunday, single enemy aircraft dropped a few bombs in British east coast areas. These caused little damage and there were very few casualties. It is officially stated that two German aircraft were brought down by anti-aircraft fire in Merseyside on Saturday night. During the same night, a German bomber fell in the sea, off Blackpool, and another crashed in flames in Sussex, the members of the crew all being killed.

SHOWER OF BOMBS FIRST BIG ATTACK MADE ON MANCHESTER. MANY BUSINESS PREMISES SET ALIGHT. LONDON, December 23. The main target of German bombers over Britain last night was Manchester. It is officially stated that the city was , heavily attacked for many hours and that a large number of fires were caused There was considerable damage to buildings and shops. A number of people were killed any many 3n l ur ™' This was the first big attack that Manchester has had The raid startea with a shower of incendiary bombs, followed by high-explosive missiles Many business premises were set alight. The attack began early and numbers of people were caught in the St The 3 raiders concentrated on the centre of the city. A large block of stores and shops was seriously damaged by Ore and a commercial building was set on fire. Houses were bad- : ly damaged. A hotel was directly hit and there were a number of casualties. .