PROLONGED AIR RAIDS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21205, 30 August 1940, Page 7

PROLONGED AIR RAIDS

LONDONERS REMAIN UNPERTURBED

THEIR MAJESTIES SET GOOD EXAMPLE SEVERAL PEOPLE KILLED HOUSES DEMOLISHED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received August 30, 11 a.m.) LONDON, August 29 sfl.--Londoners cheerfully went to work this morning after the most severe and most prolonged dose of bombing the capital has yet received. Their Majesties set an example of imperturbability on Tuesday night when they refused to allow an air raid warning to interfere with their all-night journey to the Northern Command. The sirens were sounding as they drove from the Palace, but the Royal car continued to the station at a snail’s pace. Several London areas received their first experience of bombs, but the Germans’ haphazard methods minimised the material damage and the public’s use of shelters kept the casualties low. Eighteen hundred civil defence workers were on duty in one district where over 60 incendiary bombs fell. The “stirrup pumps” were so effective that there were no casualties and no fire. One incendiary bomb almost burnt out a well-known emporium in one district before the fire was controlled.

High explosive bombs about a mile away demolished several working-class houses. One bomb landed on top of a shelter, and four occupants, all members of one family, tvere killed.

Several houses were demolished, a church extensively damaged, and a mansion, a garage and a sports pavilion gutted by fire as a result of attacks on a north-west town early this morning. Incendiary bombs and many highexplosive bombs were dropped.

Many Houses Wrecked The Midlands also received prolonged attention from the raiders, who were over one town for several hours. Incendiary and high-explosive bombs fell over a wide area. Many houses were wrecked and gas and electricity services affected. Bombs also fell on small Midland towns. Two people were killed and several injured when a raider dived over a Midland town and dropped five bombs on a residential quarter. A German plane is believed to have been brought down in a southeastern area after being caught in a | maze of searchlight beams. The anti-aircraft fire in South ‘Wales was the heaviest and most | prolonged thus far. During the London raids many incendiary bombs fell on the grounds of an institution, damaging a hospital and other buildings by fire. Attempt to Terrorise Fails An official of the Air Ministry, discussing last night's raids, emphas- | ised the apparent uselessness which distinguished them. For example, it is impossible to believe that the enemy could have had any specific targets in the London area in mind, and certainly no military objectives. The bombers mostly flew at a very great height and dropped bombs at scattered points, with no apparent plan. It can only be assumed that their object was to terrorise the civil population. Londoners are best able to judge for themselves how completely these attempts failed. The official also contrasted these purposeless and ineffective raids with the methodical, sustained offensive of the Royal Air Force against Germany, which are confined carefully to planned attacks on military objectives, and are known to be achieving valuable results. “Another Off the List!” When Mr Winston Churchill was inspecting air raid damage a German machine plunged into the ground in flames several miles away. Mr Churchill drove to the spot and tracked down the Messerschmitt in a field. An officer was already guarding the wreck. Mr Churchill asked: “Is it one of theirs or ours?” The officer replied: “One of theirs.’ Mr Churchill: Good! That makes another off. the list. Comparison of Losses It is officially stated that full reports of yesterday’s air fighting show that 28 enemy planes were destroyed. We lost 14 planes. Seven British pilots and three air-gunners are reported killed or missing. Armada Over Portsmouth The German news agency stated that a German air armada carried out a dive-bombing attack against Portsmouth this morning. Effective Precautions The authorities express the u-arm-est appreciation of the work of the air raid precautions in dealing with fires caused by incendiary bombs in last night’s raid on London. One of the officers in charge expressed complete satisfaction with the j arrangements, and declared that the 1 raid proved how effective stirrup pumps could be if properly manned and handled.