THIRD RAID ON MANNHEIM.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 60, 20 December 1940, Page 5

THIRD RAID ON MANNHEIM.

FACTORIES AT MILAN BOMBED.

LONDON, Deeemer 19

Last night, for the third. night in succession, Royal Air Force bombers raided Mannheim, the chief industrial centre of the upper Rhine. Raiders also attacked factories in Milan.

While the Royal Air Force raids on enemy territory continue, the Aveather has apparently been too much for the German Air Force, for not a single enemy machine has been near London for more than tAvo days, the longest period since the beginning of the intensive air attack in September.

A raider Avas believed to have been near Liverpool this morning, but no bombs were dropped.

Casualties since December 13 are less than one-eighth of those on December 8, which was the worst night for nearly tAvo months. Whatever the present breathing space portends, it has certainly brought tremendous relief to Londoners, especially to those whose Avork keeps them out at night. A popular question is: "What does the spell imply?”

Official constantly reiterate that the threat of invasion has not passed, and appeal to the public not to relapse into the apathy of a year ago.

Meanwhile the Royal Air Force is alloAving Germany no such relief. This is indicated by the groAving evacuation of Avomen and children from the principal German .•cities. It is authoritatively T statecl that “850,000 children have been evacuated, mainly from Berlin and Hamburg, and some cities in the Ruhr.

Mannheim is receiving attention from the Royal Air Fox-ce equal to that previously given Hamburg an(l Dusseldorf. When bombers arrived over it on Tuesday night some of the fires started on the previous night were still blazing. The Royal Air Force carried out raids on aerodromes in enemy-occupied territory. and on tho ports on the French coast* on Tuesday night. The Germans admit that an anti-aircraft batteiy was hit by two bombs and several soldiers were killed and injured. Gx-eat progress has been made in restoring the damaged areas in Sheffield. Rescue work is being continued. Some of those -who have been buried and withoxxt food since Decenxber 12 were; dug out alive on December 16.