FURIOUS RAID

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 December 1940, Page 6

FURIOUS RAID

TERRIFIC ONSLAUGHT ON LONDON THOUSANDS OF INCENDIARY BOMBS. AND THOUSANDS OF HIGH EXPLOSIVES. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 29. The Germans, immediately after dark tonight, launched a most terrific onslaught against London. Thousands of incendiary bombs were rained over all parts of the capital. Dozens of fires were blazing, illuminating the streets and hundreds of high-explosive bombs were dropped. The blitz reached tremendous proportions, continuing until 8.15 p.m. The raid on a south-western town last night was the town’s 240th raid. Hundreds of people were rendered homeless. Over twenty fires were raging simultaneously, but all were controlled. Nine bodies were recovered from debris. Two houses and all the shops, totalling sixty, in one street were damaged by fire or blast. A crowded bus was hit by an incendiary bomb, but the passengers scrambled out before the bus became a huge blaze. Incendiary bombs were scattered over such a wide area that cottages were set on fire some miles from the town.

SCATTERED BOMBING SLIGHT ENEMY ACTIVITY IN DAYLIGHT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 11.45 a.m.) RUGBY, December 29. This evening’s Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security communique states: “There has been some slight enemy activity over this country during daylight today. Bombs were dropped on a town on the Suffolk coast this morning, and on two towns on the Kent coast in the afternoon. Some houses were damaged, but no casualties are reported. Bombs were also dropped at a place in north-west England. A small number of people were killed and others injured.”