BEDLAM IN AIR

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21368, 12 March 1941, Page 8

BEDLAM IN AIR

ATTACK ON PORTSMOUTH THOUSANDS OF BOMBS CASUALTIES AND DAMAGE (United Press Assn.—r.lec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 12, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, March 11 Bedlam broke out in the Portsmouth area last night, when a heavy barrage was accompanied by the noise of screaming and exploding bombs as a constant procession of raiders flew over the city. Thousands of incendiary bombs were dropped, and at one stage the country side was lit up for miles. Business premises which were set on fire yesterday were again set alight. Many houses were demolished and the occupants trapped. Rescue squads worked heroically and extricated three people from collapsed houses and a number from private shelters. A surface shelter received a direct hit. There were only two casualties. Three people were killed in another public shelter which was damaged. * A first-aid post was hit. Only five persons sustained slight injuries. Some roads were blocked and a trolly bus service was interrupted when the overhead wires came down. The town lost two more churches, while others, including a synagogue, were damaged. Business premises also suffered. Enemy Planes Destroyed It is now known that four enemy bombers were destroyed by antiaircraft gunfire in the Portsmouth . area on Monday night by our defences. The enemy aircraft shot down by , the destroyer Holderness makes Monday night's total eight. All the bombers shot down in the ' Portsmouth area were seen to crash or explode in mid-air by many wit- ' nesses, states the Air Ministry news ( service. The first of these raiders was caught by a searchlight over the town and a direct hit made by the anti-aircraft guns. The bomber burst into flames and dived into the sea. Another raider met the same fate soon afterwards. The next enemy machine was destroyed in mid-air and the fourth crashed in mud on the Isle of Wight j seashore after a direct hit. MOVEMENT OF CONVOY departure from Gibraltar WEYGAND IN ALGIERS REASON FOR SECRECY (United press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 12, 3.15 p.m.) VICHY, March 11 The Havas Agency’s Algeciras correspondent states that a large convoy, under the cover of a smokescreen, has departed from Gibraltar. It included an aircraft-carrier, a battleship, a cruiser, five destroyers, two large transports and nineteen merchantmen. General Weygand arrived in Algiers by air yesterday. In explaining the secrecy of his departure the censor said he did not want a repetition of the Chiappe incident. RAID ON PORTSMOUTH NAZI FLAMES DESTROYED (United press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright;, LONDON, March 11 The main target of German bombers over Britain last night was Portsmouth. Fires were started, but in view of the length of the raid casualties are not thought to have • been unduly heavy. Three of the raiders were destroyed, and probably two more. The enemy met with heavy antiaircraft fire, and agency reports state that the rattle of machine-gun fire by British night fighters could be heard. RECORD “BAG” NIGHT ATTACKERS DESTROYED * RAIDERS OVER BRITAIN DAVENTRY, March 12 A record number of Nazi night raiders over Britain fell victims to British fighters and anti-aircraft guns, eight raiding machines being brought down during the night. GALLANTRY AND SKILL NEW ZEALANDER HONOURED (United Pre« \?sn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 12, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, March 11 A New Zealander, Flying Officer G. E. Weston, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation says that Flying Officer Weston was detailed to attack an enemy vessel lying in the dock at Erest. Despite the failure of the starboard engine and exceptional searchlight and anti-aircraft opposition he located the target and pressed home the attack with a full load of bombs.

When returning over the English Channel engine picked up and then failed again, but skilful handing enabled him to land the plane safely at the base

Flying Officer Weston displayed gallantry, “kill and determination throughout.