BRITISH OVER BERLIN

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21216, 12 September 1940, Page 8

BRITISH OVER BERLIN

TASTE OF OWN MEDICINE DAMAGE DONE BY BOMB HITLER’S PRIDE HIT (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 12, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 11 While London was receiving its nightly dose of German air brutality, Berlin, according to neutral correspondents, was given a strong taste of its own medicine when the Royal Air Force penetrated the capital’s defences and bombed Central Berlin. A thermite bomb crashed through the roof of the Reichstag and smouldered in the hall before it was extinguished. The Reichstag is not used at present, as it is still undergoing reconstruction after the 1933 fire. Other bombs fell in this district, which contains Government offices. Incendiary bombs peppered the area round the United States Embassy, near which a 500-pounder fell. A high explosive bomb dropped near the Ministry of the Interior smashing the ground floor and windows in a building occupied by the American News Service. A heavy bomb landed in the centre of the Avenue of Splendour, which is Hitler’s particular pride. Admissions by Germans A German communique last night stated: The enemy bombed various localities in North France, Belgium and Northern Germany, but caused little damage. A few enemy planes succeeded in reaching Berlin and dropping bombs there. Numerous fires broke out in residential and business quarters. In the centre of the town two hospitals were hit. A few streets had temporarily to be evacuated in the diplomatic quarter owing to the danger of the collapse of the buildings. One bomb fell on the Reichstag building and another on the Academy of Art. Five civilians were killed and several injured. The security and auxiliary services, by their energetic action, together with members of the civil population, prevented numerous incendiary bombs from doing great damage. Installations of military importance in London remained the chief target of Germany’s reprisal attacks. Numerous fires were added to those already existing. We also bombed other military objectives, especially harbour installations, aerodromes and industrial plants in the south-east of England. A German bomber sank a convoyed 8000-ton British merchantman southward of the Hebridees. Goebbel’s Garden Bombed The Air Ministry’s news service says: The Royal Air Force repeatedly hit Potsdam station with heavy bombs and several hundred incendiary bombs. The pilots of all machines claimed several direct hits on the station yard. Several planes attacked by gliding through the anti-aircraft barrage. Fires broke out as showers of incendiary bombs fell. One fire was particularly large, and there were several smaller ones. The raiders left for Home after releasing all their bombs. The German news agency admits that a 151 b incendiary bomb fell ten feet from Goebbels’ residence in Berlin, tearing a deep hole in the garden. Widespread British Raids The Air Ministry stated: Besides Potsdam station the Royal Air Force last night bombed Bremen and Wilhelmshaven, vast concentrations, docks and harbours on the French, Belgian and Dutch coasts, gun emplacements at Cap Gris Nez, railway targets at Duisberg and Brussels, and aerodromes in Germany and Ger-man-occupied territory. Four of our planes have not returned.