HEAVIEST TO DATE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 April 1941, Page 3

HEAVIEST TO DATE

RAID ON BIRMINGHAM, ELEVEN RAIDERS BROUGHT DOWN IN ONE NIGHT. LONDON. April 10. Relays of raiders heavily attacked Birmingham last night, high explosives and fire-bombs damaging and wrecking numerous business premises and houses. Several were killed, others trapped in ruined buildings. The attack, which continued for some hours, is described as the town’s heaviest yet. A tunnel used as a shelter received a direct hit and a number were trapped. A north-east coast town also experienced its worst raid, lasting several hours. Many high explosives and incendiaries were dropped. A number of fires started, but were quickly controlled. High explosives demolished a number of houses. _ The death-roll was nine. Two other towns on the northeast coast area were raided and property was damaged. An East Anglian town was also heavily attacked for several hours, waves of bombers showering first fire-bombs, then high explosives. The 11 raiding bombers brought down during the night comprised, one of the best night bags of the war.

ENEMY BOMBERS

THIRTY SHOT DOWN IN FOUR NIGHTS. BY BRITISH FIGHTER PLANES. ’ During the four nights up to and including Thursday, the 8.8. C. reports, thirty German bombers were shot down in Britain by night fighters. It is now known that another enemy bomber was shot clown by anti-aircraft gun-fire on Thursday night, making a total of 10 for that night. A second enemy bomber was shot down by antiaircraft gun-fire on Wednesday night, making the total destroyed on that night 12. On Thursday night German air attacks were again widespread and heavy. Birmingham and Coventry were savagely attacked and much damage was done to property. It is feared the casualties may be heavy. There was some slight enemy air activity over the south-east coast of Britain yesterday, but there are no reports of any bombs having been dropped.