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LONDON’S ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS LARGE RAID OVER BRITAIN. ACTIVITY OVER LARGE AREA. (N Z Press Association —Copyright). (Rec. 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, July 28. As the anti-aircraft guns in London went into action early this morning it was quickly realised that the latest secret type was being used. The people soon noticed a new noise as the shells screamed into the sky. The Home Guards manned some of these “hush hush” batteries, which scattered shrapnel in the city streets of London.
The raiders formed part of a force which attacked widely-separated districts, including towns in the Midlands, East Anglia, W 7 est Country, and the north-west and south coasts. This was the largest force sent over Britain for months.
Firebombs were dropped on the semi-rural outskirts of London.
Despite the German claim that 200 planes attacked Birmingham it is estimated that only 50 to 70 were over Britain.
The raiders spread out to such an extent that the attack seemed designed for internal consumption in Germany as a reprisal for the attack on Hamburg rather than a deliberate attempt to interfere with Britain’s war effort.
Although eight raiders were destroyed during the night and a ninth off the soutlf-west coast this morning, the Air Ministry says that many more were damaged.
Aided by a brilliant moon waves of planes showered incendiaries on the Birmingham .area. Many fires broke out but most were small and were quickly doused, the damage being practically confined to houses and shops. A few high-explosives __ were dropped apparently indiscriminately because of the fierceness of the ground defences. " Night fighters, chased the raiders over the sea and the situation on the ground was always under control. Several persons were buried in one shelter. Fires completely ringed the market area but the market was not touched.
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Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 245, 29 July 1942, Page 3
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300NEW TYPE IN USE Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 245, 29 July 1942, Page 3
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