MORE ATTACKS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21226, 24 September 1940, Page 5

MORE ATTACKS

IN THE LONDON AREA FORMATIONS BROKEN UP RAIDERS SHOT DOWN (United Press Ann.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 24, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 23 Four large formations of German raiders attempted to reach London this morning by three routes over the Kent coast, the Essex coast and the Thames Estuary. They were broken up by British fighters and anti-aircraft fire, but a few reached the London area, where there was a brief alert warning. Authoritative reports so far received indicate that five enemy aircraft were shot down by fighters during the morning’s engagements. Press messages, which await confirmation, state that altogether 15 enemy machines were destroyed. “ Bomb Sales ” in London While a spotter watched for air raiders, hundreds of shopgirls in Oxford Street spent Saturday and Sunday clearing away bomb wreckage and arranging improvised counters for today’s opening of the “ Bomb Sales.” These sales will be a feature of Oxford Street this autumn.

Work has begun in converting the Holborn-Aldwych section of the Piccadilly Tube into a deep air raid shelter. It is intended to instal bunks, but the use of the shelter will be limited to those who are not able to obtain comparative safety elsewhere. New Zealander Active One of the pilots who bombed Ostend was a New Zealander, who was recently awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. This pilot was confident of having damaged a large supply ship in the harbour. In a communique on today’s air attacks on Britain the Air Ministry states that eleven enemy aircraft are known to have been destroyed. Eleven Royal Air Force fighters were lost, but the pilots of seven are safe. 200 Raiders Driven Off There were three alarms during the day. The first occurred in the morning, when 200 raiders attempted to reach the city but only got to the eastern outskirts. A lone raider caused the second alarm. A new gigantic four-engined German bomber and three formations of nine bombers each crossed the Kent coast this morning, flying at a great height, outranging the anti-aircraft defences. Spitfires and Hurricanes broke up the formations. The giant was last seen speeding towards the Channel, hotly pursued. A raider dropped twelve high explosive bombs in Eastbourne’s working class district. There were no deaths. Issue of Ear-Plugs The Ministry of Home Security is manufacturing millions of ear-plugs for distribution to local authorities, which are arranging for their general issue, similarly to gas-masks.

KING’S DETERMINATION

WILL NOT LEAVE LONDON SAME SPIRIT AS PEOPLE Vnllerl Press Asn.—J!icc. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 23 His Klajesty has said he will not leave London “until he is bombed out.” That is the spirit of all his people. German propaganda yesterday had declared that il the King left London the German arms would have achieved “their first tentative victory in the battle of Empires.” London newspapers for days have been publishing graphic photographs of devastation in East End homes, but these to-day appear alongside one of the most historic of all wartime photographs. It is one of the King and Queen standing amid the wreckage of a section of Buckingham Palace.

LONDON NIGHT LIFE

ADAPTABILITY OF PEOPLE “IT’S THAT MAN AGAIN” (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 22 Londoners faced their sixteenth successive night raid when German bombers appeared over the capital on Sunday night. The German broadcast, gloating that *■ Londoners were allowed to spend the night in underground stations ” and that it is “ now learned that, during the last 48 hours. Londoners, have had to spend 15 in air raid shelters.” has shown an utter lack of understanding of the spirit in which such “ cover " is taken. The adaptation of Londoners to the new night life, necessitated by the threat of murder from the sky. is glowingly praised by neutral correspondents. one of whom suggests that the Germans are far from the mark if they are mistaking Cockney common sense for panic and fear. The attitude of Londoners is summed up by the catch phrase, continually heard with comic emphasis when the sirens sound; “ It’s that man again.”