Air Raids On Britain

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 10, 12 January 1940, Page 7

Air Raids On Britain

HOT RECEPTION No Bombs Dropped, Enemy Driven Off MOST EXTENSIVE YET

(United l'ress Association.—Copyright.— Rec. 10 a.m.) LONDON, January 11. "U* rn°«t widespread air raids of the war were experienced when Nazi planes crossed the coast at various points from Scotland to the Thames Estuary. No bombs were dropped, but several towns were showered with shrapnel. The 'planes apparently were mostly concerned with reconnaissance, although they bombed a steamer off the Norfolk coast. The ship was not sunk, but from the coast it could be seen blazing against the horizon.

Anti-aircraft artillery on the Essex Coast went into action against aircraft flying eastwards over the Thames Estuary. Gunfire followed the 'planes to sea.

Considerable aerial activity was seen on the south-east coast of Scotland, near where a fleet of fishing vessels was attacked yesterday. British fighters chased three large black machines to sea.

Two German Dornier 'planes crossed the south-east coast and were later reported several miles inland. They reappeared over coastal ports. Royal Air Force 'planes went up, but apparently failed to make contact. Air raid warnings were not sounded.

Thousands of people from Scotland to the coast of England saw Royal Air Force fighters hotly pursuing Germain raiders. The boom of anti-aircraft guns, the crackle of machine-guns, the clatter of shrapnel falling in the streets and on housetops and bursting shrapnel warned Tynesiders that German raiders had crossed the coast.

Residents of Tyneside went into the streets and souvenired pieces of shrapnel. School children calmly continued their lessons.

A Thames raider, attempting to reach the London area, was unable to penetrate the heavy anti-aircraft barrage. Guns from Kent to Essex opened a furious bombardment.

The Air Ministry bulletin states that in addition to the raid on Newcastle, enemy aircraft appeared off the Firth of Forth and the estuaries of the Humber and Thames. Anti-aircraft fire and fighter patrols drove them off.

Enemy ilrcnft mtde £ bombing attack on a merchantman off the Norfolk etui. R.A.F. fighters intercepted and engaged them.