BOMBS ON LONDON

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21225, 23 September 1940, Page 7

BOMBS ON LONDON

CASUALTIES AND DAMAGE PLANES SHOT DOWN (Omcial Wireless) (Received Sept. 23. 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 22 A Ministry of Home Security communique states: The attack made shortly before dark on Saturday evening in south-east England was not heavy. A few bombs were dropped in the south-west outskirts of the London area and at a few places in Kent and Sussex. The damage caused was slight and no casualties are reported. It is now known that a* second enemy bomber was shot down by our fighters yesterday afternoon. Our fighters suffered no loss during the day. • By night enemy activity was somewhat more widespread than on the previous nights, though London again was the principal objective. Bombs were dropped in several parts of the capital, and once more the attack was heaviest in the eastern and southern districts. A town in north-west England was also attacked. In these two areas houses were destroyed and damaged and fires were started. Most of the fires were quickly brought under control and it was largely due to the fire services that the damage caused was not more serious. There have been a number of casualties, some fatal. In south-east England outside the London area a number of houses were destroyed by bombs and some casualties were caused, one of which was fatal. Elsewhere little damage has been reported. Homeless East Enders A high-explosive bomb levelled six houses and damaged others in the north-east. Thousands of East Enders sheltered in the Holbom underground station. Many are homeless. _ Major-General and Mrs William Hugh Usher-Smith were killed when a bomb struck their hotel. Major-General Usher-Smith, who was 71 years of age, had a distinguished career in the South African and Great Wars, being mentioned in despatches.