SAVAGE RAID

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 June 1941, Page 5

SAVAGE RAID

ALEXANDRIA BLASTED t BY NAZIS i — s 1 DEATHS ESTIMATED ) AT HUNDREDS. t WARSHIPS PUT UP HELL OF FIRE t LONDON. June 8. Alexandria was raided again throughout last night, ’ and considerable damage was caused. An official* Cairo ’ communique says il is feared t casualties may have been heavy. It is unofficially estimated that between 200 and 300 persons were killed. Squadrons of German planes divebombed the Arab and European residential quarters, which were severely damaged. The main attack developed over the harbour. The enemy made frequent air reconnaissances before the attacks. There are no signs of panic or disorder. but there is a feeling of burning resentment against the ruthlessness of the German attacks, a correspondent states. The raid was minimised by the action of British and Greek lying in the harbour, which put up a' veritable hell of fire round the port area. The planes failed to hit any of 1 the warships or military objectives. , The raid lasted six hours and many high-explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped in various parts of the city. The Prime Minister said that he had authorised the commandeering of public buildings and schools for use by refugees and instructed societies in Cairo to receive air-raid victims from Alexandria. “We are a Moslem country relying on God,” he said, "and we have strong faith.” The King and Queen of Egypt today visited and sympathised with air-raid victims. Crowds streamed from the city following last night’s raid. The roads were thronged for miles with cars and carts piled up with bedding, furniture, and old horned gramophones. Families of eight and 10 people crammed into taxis, and the poorer -folk trudged afoot, many leading their goats. Britishers are participating in the rescue work. The Premier, Sirry Pasha, announced an immediate appropriation of £300.000 for relief.