FEW EXPLOSIONS IN SUBURBS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21194, 17 August 1940, Page 7

FEW EXPLOSIONS IN SUBURBS

FIRST ATTACK DRIVEN BACK BY FIGHTERS 70 MORE PLANES DESTROYED IN BIG BATTLE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received August 17, 11 a.m.) LONDON, August 16 Although the air raids over England were not on such a large scale as the previous day, the German Air Force made its first attempt of the war to bomb London during the afternoon. The first attack was driven off by British fighters and anti-aircraft fire but in the second attempt several bombers appeared over the South Western suburbs and dropped their bombs. Some damage is reported and also casualties, some of which were fatal. The raids did not commence in force until after midday but from then on until well after nightfall the attacks were continuous. The air defences again proved equal to the occasion and 70 more of the raiders were destroyed, with only 17 British losses, the pilots of 10 of the British planes being rescued. Enemy air activity was on a small scale until mid-day, when a large force of bombers and fighters approached the south-east coast, states the Air Ministry communique. Some of these came inland but were engaged by our fighters and turned back before reaching the outskirts of London. The remainder re-entered the Thames Estuary, dropping bombs at several points on either side of the estuary. At Tilbury and Northfleet some damage was done and a number of people were injured and some killed. These aircraft were also heavily engaged by anti-aircraft guns and fighters. A number of them passed round the south-east side of London, but no bombs were dropped in this area. In the early afternoon an attack was made at several points on the south coast. Bombs were dropped on the Isle of Wight, causing a little damage, and the Royal Air Force aerodrome was attacked. Later a large force of enemy aircraft again entered the Thames Estuary, some dropping bombs in the south-western suburbs of London. A station was hit and shops and houses damaged. Reports so far indicate that a small number of people were injured, some fatally. One squadron of Hurricanes caught eleven dive-bombers attacking an aerodrome and shot down every one of them.