HEAVY “BLITZ”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 December 1940, Page 5

HEAVY “BLITZ”

ENEMY RESUMES BOMBING OF LONDON NUMBER OF PEOPLE KILLED OR INJURED. WORST ATTACK SINCE EARLY DECEMBER. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, December 28. The all-clear was sounded in London late last night after the worst raid on the capital since December 8, and after a record spell of freedom from air attack of 8!) hours 18 minutes. Scores of high-explosives and hundreds of incendiary bombs were scattered over a wide area, and the attack had all the features of the worst “blitz.” In spite of the bursting bombs and the heavy barrage, Londoners carried on as usuad. Buses and trains ran uninterrupted and the main thoroughfares were never completely deserted.

A communique states: “Many bombs were dropped on London in a raid which began soon after dark and lasted for about four hours. A few bombs were also dropped in East Anglia and the south-east of England and on one point on the south coast. A number of people were killed, others injured, and many dwelling houses were destroyed or damaged. There were several fires but all were quickly and effectively dealt with and many were extinguished while the raid was still in progress.” A London parish church was gutted as the result of being hit by a number of incendiary bombs. The church seated 100 people. In an adjacent thoroughfare a heavy bomb destroyed a hotel, and a number of houses nearby were wrecked.

A number of persons were trapped in the underground shelter of a large block of workers’ flats. Eleven were rescued after two hours. A middleaged woman who is an invalid is believed to be still’ under tons of debris. Her husband was killed and their daughter admitted to hospital. Most of those rescued were injured. A woman in an adjoining shelter said: "We could hear screams for help, but though only a single wall divided up we were powerless. Some of the men tried to hack their way through and they were using picks when a member of the A.R.P, advised them to cease because of the danger of the collapse of both shelters. We were unable to leave ours till the debris was dug from the entrance.” During the day yesterday the only enemy activity was by one raider which dropped bombs in the morning on a town in the south-east of England, causing some damage and a few minor casualties.

Today Southampton was visited by German bombers, according to a communique, which states: “There was very little enemy air activity over Britain today, but bombs were dropped by enemy aircraft over Southampton in the afternoon, causing a little damage and a few casualties.” SHORT BUT SHARP ■ ATTACK ON SOUTH-WEST TOWN. LONDON, December 29. Last night's German raid was on a town in south-west England. The Air Ministry says the attack was short but sharp, beginning soon after nightfall. A number of fires were caused, but they were soon under control. Damage was not extensive, and casualties not high. Two hospitals were hit and shops destroyed.